Nepal's Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari has left Kathmandu for a week long visit to India in order to seek resumption of Indian military assistance halted in 2005.
Though the tour has been described by Nepalese officials as a "goodwill visit" the new government headed by Prime Minister Madhav Nepal, considered a moderate, is keen for resumption of Indian military aid and assistance.
"Bhandari's visit at the invitation of Defence Minister A K Antony is aimed at enhancing defence relations between Nepal and India," a close aide of minister said.
"Nepal might take up the issue of resumption of defence assistance and supplies halted during the direct rule of then King Gyanendra in 2005," the official added.
Bhandari is scheduled to meet Antony and Foreign Minister S M Krishna during the visit. She is also likely to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Bhandari, a leukemia patient, will also have her health checked up at the Apollo Hospital in Delhi during the visit.