Newly-elected Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is leaving for the Indian capital New Delhi for a weeklong visit on Monday. Though the purpose of Deuba’s visit—his first since the promulgation of the new constitution—is stated to be treatment of his wife and NC lawmaker Arzu, it is widely anticipated in Kathmandu that he will be meeting senior Indian politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deuba will return on April 24. “It is not a political visit,” said Bimalendra Nidhi, a close aide of Deuba. “He is visiting New Delhi to attend and look after his wife, who is undergoing a major hip transplant surgery at Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon.” Arzu has already left for New Delhi. “There is no pre-scheduled meetings with any Indian leaders,” said Nidhi. Ahead of his visit, Deuba on Sunday met with agitating Madhesi leaders at his residence and discussed their demands and agendas. Ahead of the 13th General Convention of the party, the NC leadership had committed to take a lead on addressing the demands of the agitating Madhes-centric parties, including the implementation of the constitution. “In the same spirit, Deuba held talks with the Madhesi leaders,” said Nidhi, adding that they appreciated the lead taken by Deuba and agreed to hold talks in future.