KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa is leaving for London next week to attend a function marking the bi-centennial of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tara Prasad Pokharel said that an official invitation had been received from the UK government for the function scheduled for December 16.

Thapa is set to return home on December 20. The relations between Nepal and then British Empire had begun with the signing of Sugauli Treaty in December 1816.

A source informed that Thapa would visit China right after his return from the UK.