Former king's Bhutan visit: Not government concern, says spokesperson

Kathmandu, October 7 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it has not received any formal information regarding the former king's visit to Bhutan. While there are various discussions about the visit, the ministry responded that it is entirely a personal matter for the former king.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amrit Bahadur Rai, there has been no official information regarding the visit. “As far as I know, there is no information about the visit,” he told Ratopati on Monday afternoon.

Another official from the ministry mentioned that since it is a personal visit, it is not a matter of government concern. Although the Bhutanese government welcomed the former king with a “red carpet,” the official noted that no information was provided by the Bhutanese side, making it a natural private visit.

Similarly, government spokesperson and Minister of Information and Communications Prithvi Subba Gurung stated that the visit holds no significance. “There isn’t much discussion about that visit. The media has only speculated,” he said.

When asked whether there was any honor given at the government level, he remarked that the details of what the former king ate or did during the visit are inconsequential. “What he ate or where he stayed isn’t a big deal,” he added. He also stated that the King of Bhutan has no intention or ability to intervene in Nepal’s politics.

The former king’s visit had previously been clarified as “private” by his secretariat. However, sources from Nirmal Niwas indicate that the visit occurred under significant pressure. Amid these statements and various interpretations, some have suggested that the visit carries diplomatic and political significance.

The former king returned to Kathmandu on Sunday after a four-day visit to Bhutan. Although it was termed personal, the Bhutanese government rolled out the red carpet for his welcome. During the visit, he also held discussions with the King of Bhutan and others.

Royalists have connected the visit to discussions about the restoration of the monarchy, while republican parties have echoed the government’s sentiment that the visit lacks significance.