Kathmandu — As Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah prepares to embark on his first official bilateral visit to India from upcoming Mangsir 7 to 9 (November 23–25), discussions have intensified in Kathmandu’s political and media circles regarding the growing proximity between senior journalist Rishi Dhamala and the Prime Minister’s core team—particularly Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar (Kumar Ben).
Known for decades as a media personality with deep access in Indian political and diplomatic circles, Dhamala has recently emerged as a vocal supporter and public interpreter of the Shah administration’s foreign policy. On the eve of the New Delhi visit, Dhamala has used platforms such as Reporters' Club Nepal and Prime Television to describe the upcoming meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a major diplomatic achievement that will break the communication deadlock ('icebreak') between the two countries and add a 'new dimension' to Nepal-India relations.
The timing of Dhamala’s supportive remarks has sparked speculation in Kathmandu’s political corridors that informal communication channels are active alongside formal state mechanisms. According to political analysts, extensive behind-the-scenes coordination has taken place under the leadership of Chief Advisor Kumar Ben to prepare the groundwork for Prime Minister Shah’s India visit.
With Kumar Ben active as the chief strategist of Prime Minister Shah’s political strategy and diplomatic initiatives, analysts view Dhamala’s continuous public defense of the government as a key 'media bridge' (communication medium) between Baluwatar’s inner circle and Indian stakeholders. Although neither Baluwatar nor Dhamala himself has officially confirmed any formal advisory or media coordination role, Dhamala has firmly advocated for the government’s five-year stability and foreign policy, contrary to the skepticism of traditional party leaders.
As final preparations for the visit are underway following recent high-level consultations held in Kathmandu by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the combination of Kumar Ben’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy and Dhamala’s high-profile media advocacy clearly indicates how Prime Minister Shah’s team is utilizing non-traditional political networks in high-level regional diplomacy.
