AMN / Janakpur (Nepal)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Nepal that it is at the top of India’s Neighbourhood First policy. Speaking at a civic reception in Janakpur, Mr Modi said whenever there has been a problem, India and Nepal have stood together. Mr Modi also announced a 100 crore rupees package to develop Janakpur – the sacred city for Hindus.
Earlier, Mr Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated a direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya – the two sacred cities for Hindus.
Mr Modi said he was happy to link Janakpur with Ramayan Circuit. He said this circuit will develop religious tourism and will also strengthen connectivity between the two nations.
He also announced that two other circuits will also be developed for the promotion of the areas related to Buddhism and Jain religion in both Nepal and India, which will be instrumental in generating employment for the youths.
Mr Modi said India will build a railway link between Raxaul in Bihar and Kathmandu to facilitate people-to-people contact and movement of goods.
Mr Modi arrived in Janakpur this morning on a two-day state visit to Nepal and directly went to the Janaki temple. Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli welcomed Mr Modi upon his arrival at the temple complex.
Mr Modi also offered special prayers at the Janaki temple. Mr Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to hold such a worship ceremony at the temple. Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.
After completing his Janakpur leg of visit, Mr Modi arrived in Kathmandu this evening. Prime Minister was given ceremonial guard of honour at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali also called on Mr Modi.
Prime Minister also met Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun.
Mr. Modi held one-on-one and delegation level talks with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli.
Both the prime ministers jointly laid the foundation stone of 900 MW Arun-III hydro power project.