Indian PM Modi returns home; pledges support for Nepal’s prosperity

Kathmandu / May 12: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home completing his two-day state visit to Nepal.

Modi boarded a special aircraft at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday.

Modi had arrived in Janakpur on Friday to begin his visit. He offered prayers at Janaki Temple and also attended civic reception hosted in his honor. He flew to Kathmandu the same day and held meeting with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Modi also visited Muktinath Temple and Pashupatinath Temple on Saturday. Following meeting with various political leaders, he was offered civic reception by Kathmandu Metropolitan City at City Hall.

Modi pledges support for Nepal’s prosperity

Meanwhile, visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nepali people for their combined strengths to rebuild Nepal after the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015.

He also congratulated Nepal for the constitution that reshaped Nepal’s political history by embracing federal system. “Since 2015, Nepal isn’t just rebuilding after the earthquake, it also is reconstructing its political history,” Modi said adding that India would always become partner to Nepal’s progress.

“Nepal is a country of diversity and Kathmandu is a world in its own,” Modi said after receiving civic felicitation by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City at City Hall today. “The diversity gives fresh air to any outsider,” he said.

As Modi praised Kathmandu’s historical, cultural, religious and artistic diversity and applauded the three tiers of elections, Modi cautioned, “Nepal has a long way to go and as the country heads towards development, it must identify its priorities to deliver results.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Gyawali said that Nepal and Kathmandu could learn from India’s development, especially in terms of cleanliness campaign and establishment of smart cities in a federal setup.

Upon receiving civic felicitation, Modi said that he was extremely honored in the city that always lured him. “Kathmandu has always lured me by its diversity, depth and progressive attitude,” he said adding that he’d soon visit Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.