India to help Nepal prosper, says Modi

Kathmandu, May 12

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day Nepal visit today with a message that India would always support Nepal's endeavours for development as per the country's necessities and priorities.

Commending Nepalis for their long journey from war to peace, Modi said, “India is ready to play the role of Sherpas, who help mountaineers scale Mount Everest, in Nepal's journey to development and prosperity.”

“In these three visits to Nepal, my message has been that India's success lies in Nepal's success,” he said, addressing a civic reception organised in his honour by Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Citing Sandeep Lamichhane's selection in Indian Premier League, Modi hoped Nepal-India people-to-people relations will be strengthened not only through cricket, but also through other sports in the days to come.

On the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said frequent exchanges of visits at the highest level were a testimony to the importance both the countries attached to promoting friendly and cordial relations with each other. He stated that economic development of Nepal and prosperity of Nepalis was the government's sole objective after the implementation of constitution. “In this context, the support of our friendly neighbour India in our development endeavours will help us achieve our objectives,” he said.

On the occasion, KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya handed over a felicitation letter and symbolic key of the city to Modi, symbolising that KMC's doors will remain open for Modi.

In the morning, Modi visited Muktinath temple and offered prayers, which was followed by his visit to Pashupatinath temple.

Modi then met political leaders, before attending a reception organised in his honour by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. He flew back to New Delhi after attending civic reception organised by KMC. Foreign Minister Gyawali saw him off at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Modi had kicked off his Nepal visit from Janakpur yesterday at the invitation of PM KP Sharma Oli. After offering prayers at Janaki temple in Janakpur, Modi and Oli jointly inaugurated the Ramayana Circuit and Janakpur-Ayodhya direct bus service.

After attending a civic reception in Janakpur, he flew to Kathmandu and witnessed guard of honour at Tundikhel and called on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun. In the evening, Modi and Oli held delegation-level bilateral talks, and remotely laid the foundation stone of Arun III Hydropower Project.

As per the joint statement issued by both the governments, Modi invited Oli to visit India, which the latter accepted.