Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returned to Kathmandu on Saturday, concluding an official visit to Thailand, where he participated in the sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) in Bangkok.

The visit marked the first-ever official trip to Thailand by a Nepali prime minister in the past 66 years, undertaken at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Oli was seen off at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit.

Oli was accompanied by his wife Radhika Shakya, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, advisors Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Yubaraj Khatiwada, chief secretary Baikuntha Aryal, and foreign secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, among others.

On his return, Oli briefed the press at Tribhuvan International Airport, highlighting his bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit.

Speaking to reporters at the TIA, Oli said there had been a “deep understanding” between the two leaders to further strengthen the Nepal-India relations and address minor disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding.

“We have made a firm commitment—to further broaden and strengthen Nepal-India relations. There may occasionally be small misunderstandings between neighbours, but we have agreed to resolve them through dialogue,” Oli said.

Describing the meeting as “fruitful,” Oli noted that the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral issues, including investment, trade, the Pancheshwar project, and irrigation from the Mahakali River in the Dodhara-Chandani region.

“The meeting was productive and I am pleased,” he said. “We talked about matters of mutual interest. I have a sense that Prime Minister Modi was also happy with our discussion.”

Calling the Thailand visit “historic” and the Bimstec summit “hugely successful,” Oli emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and Nepal’s commitment to deeper ties with both Thailand and India.