KATHMANDU: The visiting Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is attending a ceremony organised to offer him civic reception in Barhabigha of Janakpur.

Many central and regional leaders are present at the ceremony.

Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel, Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut, Nepali Congress Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi, Rastriya Janata Party leader Rajendra Mahato, Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Chair Upendra Yadav, among others are attending the ceremony.

Also present is the Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri.

In his speech following the civic reception, Modi addressed the masses in Maithili and Nepali while he mostly spoke in Hindi.

"Ma yahan Pradhan Mantri ko roopma haina, Pradhan tirtha-yatri ko roopma aaeko chhu (I am not visiting this time as a Prime Minister but as a Prime pilgrim)," said Modi.

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