KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday evening called on India's President Pranab Mukherjee and handed over Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari's invitation to him for Nepal visit.

In response, the Indian Head of the State said the date of his Nepal visit would be fixed through diplomatic channel on mutually convenient time, according to a source at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi.

During the meeting at the Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, President Mukherjee told the Nepali deputy prime minister,  who is currently on India visit as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's special envoy, said India wanted to see peace, stability and progress in Nepal.

DPM Nidhi, a senior Nepali Congress leader and confidante of his NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, was accompanied by Ministry of Foreign Affairs' India Department chief, Bhrigu Dhungana, and the chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, Krishna Prasad Dhakal.

Earlier today, DPM Nidhi met India's Minister for Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh, Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj.

Nidhi is scheduled to meet India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.

Nidhi embarked on New Delhi visit yesterday in order to prepare grounds for India visits by Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Dahal and extend an invitation to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee for Nepal visit.

Earlier, the Cabinet on August 11 had decided to send two DPMs —Nidhi to India and Krishna Bahadur Mahara to China as the Nepali Prime Minister’s emissaries to the neighbouring countries to convey message about the new government’s priorities.

Mahara flew to Beijing on August 15 for the special mission.

Mahara met Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, on August 17, among other top officials.

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