PM Narendra Modi to Begin 2-day Nepal Visit Today; Announcement on Ramayan Circuit Likely

Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and inaugurate the Rs 6000-crore Arun 3 project which is expected to generate around 900 MW of power.

New Delhi, May 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Nepal on Friday during which he will hold talks with the top leadership with a focus on implementing key India-assisted projects and building mutual trust. This will be the third visit of PM Modi to Nepal and the first high-level visit from India since the formation of the new Government in Nepal. Defence Minister of Nepal Ishwor Pokharel and Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut will receive PM Modi at Janakpur Airport.

Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and inaugurate the Rs 6000-crore Arun 3 project which is expected to generate around 900 MW of power. According to sources, an announcement on the proposed Ramayan circuit, under which fifteen destinations like Ayodhya, Nandigram, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot will be developed to promote religious tourism, is likely.

Ahead of his visit, the security has been tightened in the Janakpur city, from where Modi will start his visit. On Day 1 of his visit, Modi will visit 20th century Janaki temple and offer special prayers in Janakpur, a historic city and famous as the birthplace of Sita. Later, Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a civic reception by the Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City at Barhabigha ground.

I will be visiting Nepal on 11th and 12th May at the invitation of PM Mr. KP Sharma Oli. This visit reflects the high priority India attaches to friendly relations with Nepal. I will be holding extensive talks with PM Oli on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2018

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will fly to the capital, Kathmandu, where he will be given a guard of honour by the Nepal Army. Welcome gates with pictures of Modi and Oli have been installed at different places on the way to the main city area from the Tribhuvan International Airport. Roads have been decorated with flags of Nepal and India.

Late in the afternoon, PM Modi will call on Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and President Bidya Devi Bhandari. In the evening, Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Oli.

Both leaders are also expected to jointly lay the foundation stone of Arun-III hydro power project through a remote system and issue a press statement. Modi will also attend a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Oli.

On Day 2 of his visit, PM Modi will visit historic Muktinath temple in Mustang district situated in north-west Nepal to offer prayers. He will also attend a reception hosted by Ambassador Puri in his honour. Leaders of various political parties in the country will call on Prime Minister Modi in Kathmandu.

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement said, “The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal, and will enable leaders to discuss matters of mutual interest and to strengthen cooperation in all areas of age-old, multi-faceted and expanding partnership between the two countries.”

During Modi’s two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government headed by Oli, official sources have reportedly confirmed. The visit aims to bring “substance” and “seriousness” in ties.

Both sides will deliberate on the implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects.

Nepalese PM Oli had visited India around a month back which was seen as an attempt to repair Nepal’s ties with New Delhi. In 2016, Oli had publicly criticised India for interfering in Nepal’s internal matters and accused it of toppling his government over the issue of Madhesis, who are mostly of Indian-origin.

(With PTI inputs)