KATHMANDU: Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is on a five-day state visit to India, said India-Nepal relations are for mutual partnership for growth and development while meeting with Indian leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari was called on by the Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Home Affairs of India Rajnath Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

On the occasion, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stated that India has attached high priority to cooperative relations with Nepal and mentioned that her ministry has been undertaking regular review of bilateral cooperation projects in order to ensure their timely progress, according to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi.

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In a separate meeting, India's Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh mentioned the excellent state of bilateral cooperation in the area of security and stated that India would always be supportive to Nepal's progress and prosperity.

The President stated that the close and friendly bilateral relations should be further strengthened to a mutual partnership for growth and development.

In the afternoon, the President attended an interaction programme with the business community jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ASSOCHAM India.

In her brief remarks, the President said that cooperation and partnership has become the defining feature of inter-state relationship in today's globalised and interdependent world.

She mentioned that Nepal treats private sector as partner for development and has provided various incentives for the private sector to grow including low tariff, simplification of taxes, development of trade and industry related basic infrastructure.

She asked Indian investors to come to Nepal and take advantage of the investment opportunities.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat also addressed the programme and highlighted the salient features of business friendly policy initiatives and other measures undertaken in Nepal.

Earlier today, President Bhandari was accorded a Ceremonial Reception at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was received by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee, and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

During the ceremony, President Bhandari received a guard of honour.

The President visited Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat and signed the visitors' book.

She also visited the Yamuna Biodiversity Park at the Bank of Yamuna River and planted a sampling there. Remaining programmes of the President's State Visit for today include call on by the Indian Finance Minister, the Indian Prime Minister, the Vice President of India this afternoon and meeting with the President of India followed by the Banquet later in the evening, adds the Embassy.