PM Modi begins 2-day Nepal trip, hopes to begin 'new chapter'

With an aim of starting a “new chapter” in India’s relations with Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Sunday to a rousing welcome with his counterpart in a special gesture receiving him at the airport.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was received at the TribhuvanInternationalAirport by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who deviated from protocol for the purpose. Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport.

A colourful ceremonial guard of honour was presented to PM Modi at the airport with the anthems of India and Nepal being played. Modi was also offered a 19-gun salute by the Nepal Army. There was tight security in and around the airport.

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The route from the airport to the hotel, a drive of about 10 minutes, saw an impromptu line up of the local people who had turned out in large numbers, waving flags and …

A personal element is also attached the visit as the PM will be reuniting a 26-year-old Nepalese youth Jeet Bahadur with his family after over 16 years.

Modi has brought along with him Bahadur whom he had accidentally found in bad condition in Ahmedabad about 16 years back then looked after him.

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On the official part, Modi will be holding talks with his counterpart Koirala and meet other political leaders. He will also have the rare honour of addressing Nepal’s Constituent Assembly.

Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Ahead of his visit, Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a “new relationship” by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.

“I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity,” Modi had said.

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Describing Nepal as a close friend and neighbour, he had said, “We have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal’s socio-economic development. We are committed to continue our support to Nepal in its development efforts.”

During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign agreements in sectors like power. India may also announce economic aid for that country.

During his stay, Modi would also perform a half-an- hour special prayer at the 5th century Pashupatinath temple. He will perform the prayer at the main temple situated on the banks of river Bagmati on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Monday by giving a bath of panchamrit to Shiva Linga. The temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world.