Kathmandu, Nov. 14 -- Nepal's diplomatic engagement with its two powerful neighbours is gathering momentum, with Prime Minister Balendra Shah preparing to visit India while a 20-member delegation of lawmakers from his party heads to China, in a move that underscores Kathmandu's effort to maintain a balance in its foreign relations.

The parallel engagements come at a politically significant moment for Shah, who is preparing for his first official bilateral visit abroad since assuming office in March. While he is scheduled to travel to New Delhi on November 22, a high-level delegation of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is leaving for Beijing on Sunday for nearly two weeks of political and diplomatic engagement.

The timing of the...