AMN / Janakpur

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli today jointly inaugurated direct bus service between Janakpur in Nepal and Ayodhya in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said India and Nepal will work towards building ‘Ramayan’ circuit between both the countries. He said this will act as the foundation for strong people to people contact between the two nations. He thanked his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli for accompanying him during this visit to Janakpur.

He also paid a visit to Janaki temple earlier and offered special prayers. Mr Modi is also going to address a civic reception in a short while from now. The Prime Minister reached Janakpur this morning on a two-day visit to the Himalayan nation.

He was received by Defence Minister of Nepal Ishwor Pokhral, Chief Minister of Province two, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri.

During the visit to the Himalayan nation, Mr Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli besides meeting the President and Vice President of the country.

Mr Modi and Mr Oli will jointly lay the foundation stone for Arun 3 hydropower project. The two leaders will have the opportunity to take forward the recent wide-ranging discussions in New Delhi on issues of mutual interest, and to advance partnership across diverse sectors.

This is Mr Modi’s third visit to Nepal as Prime Minister. In his departure statement prior to the visit, Mr Modi said, the visit reflects the high priority that India attaches to the age-old, close and friendly ties with the Himalayan Nation.

He said these high-level and regular interactions reflect his government’s commitment to the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, in consonance with the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Mr Modi stated that India will continue to remain a steadfast partner of the neighbouring country to implement its vision of ‘Samriddha Nepal, Sukhi Nepali’.