PM Modi's Public Meetings in Nepal May be Cancelled

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meetings in Nepal, scheduled to be held during his visit to the country next week, are unlikely to take place, said sources.

PM Modi will be in Nepal on November 26 and 27 to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC summit.

The PM's public meetings were scheduled to be held in Janakpur and Lumbini, where Mr Modi was expected to address rallies and distribute cycles during the events. These meetings are likely to be called off, said sources in the Nepal government.

There is strong opposition to PM Modi addressing public rallies, from within the government as well as opposition parties, said sources.

The PM's planned visit to Janakpur has also been cancelled, stated news agency Press Trust of India or PTI.

"I regret to inform that the Indian embassy in Kathamandu has informed through the ministry of foreign affairs, Nepal, that the visit of Indian PM (to Janakpur) has been cancelled," PTI quoted Nepal's Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Bimalendra Nidhi as saying.

PM Modi planned to visit Janakpur on November 25, a day ahead of the formal inauguration of the 18th SAARC Summit.