Kathmandu, August 14

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri today said the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate Nepal Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharmashala during his upcoming visit to Nepal for fourth BIMSTEC Summit slated to be held in Kathmandu on August 30 and 31.

The dharmashala is being built at Tilganga, Kathmandu, with Indian financial assistance of Rs 219.9 million.

Puri said the dharmashala would not only facilitate pilgrims, but also help boost Nepal’s tourism. “Nepal and India have social, cultural and religious relations. Thousands of Indian pilgrims visit Pashupatinath and Kailash Mansarovar every year,” he said.

According to Puri, PM Modi visiting Nepal for the fourth time showed his firm commitment to neighbourhood-first policy.

Puri also said that Modi would hold bilateral talks with Nepal’s PM during the visit. Although the agenda for the talks are yet to be finalised, the meeting is likely to dwell on implementation of past agreements and timely completion of under-construction projects.