Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu
Kathmandu:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit to Nepal. This is the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal in 17 years.
Mr Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was received at the Tribhuvan International Airport by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who deviated from protocol for the purpose.
Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport.
A colorful ceremonial guard of honour was presented to Prime Minister Modi at the airport with the anthems of India and Nepal being played.
PM Modi was also offered a 19-gun salute by the Nepal Army. There was tight security in and around the airport.
The route from the airport to the hotel, a drive of about 10 minutes, saw an impromptu line up of the local people who had turned out in large numbers, waving flags and clicking photographs with cameras as well as mobile phones.
"I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister," Mr Modi had said in his pre-departure statement summing up the sentiment attached to the two-day trip.
Mr Modi will hold talks with his counterpart Koirala and meet other political leaders. He will also have the rare honour of addressing Nepal's Constituent Assembly.
Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a "new relationship" by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.
"I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity," Mr Modi had said.
Describing Nepal as a close friend and neighbour, he had said, "We have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal's socio-economic development. We are committed to continue our support to Nepal in its development efforts."
During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign agreements in sectors like power. India may also announce economic aid for that country.
Referring to the recent meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission after a long gap of 23 years, Mr Modi said it reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and cooperation with a focus on economic relations, trade and connectivity.
In 1997, then Prime Minister I K Gujral had visited Nepal. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal was Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002 for a SAARC summit.
During his stay in Kathmandu, Mr Modi will also perform a half-an- hour special prayer at the 5th century Pashupatinath temple.
Mr Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was received at the Tribhuvan International Airport by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who deviated from protocol for the purpose.
Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport.
A colorful ceremonial guard of honour was presented to Prime Minister Modi at the airport with the anthems of India and Nepal being played.
PM Modi was also offered a 19-gun salute by the Nepal Army. There was tight security in and around the airport.
The route from the airport to the hotel, a drive of about 10 minutes, saw an impromptu line up of the local people who had turned out in large numbers, waving flags and clicking photographs with cameras as well as mobile phones.
"I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister," Mr Modi had said in his pre-departure statement summing up the sentiment attached to the two-day trip.
Mr Modi will hold talks with his counterpart Koirala and meet other political leaders. He will also have the rare honour of addressing Nepal's Constituent Assembly.
Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a "new relationship" by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.
"I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity," Mr Modi had said.
Describing Nepal as a close friend and neighbour, he had said, "We have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal's socio-economic development. We are committed to continue our support to Nepal in its development efforts."
During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign agreements in sectors like power. India may also announce economic aid for that country.
Referring to the recent meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission after a long gap of 23 years, Mr Modi said it reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and cooperation with a focus on economic relations, trade and connectivity.
In 1997, then Prime Minister I K Gujral had visited Nepal. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal was Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002 for a SAARC summit.
During his stay in Kathmandu, Mr Modi will also perform a half-an- hour special prayer at the 5th century Pashupatinath temple.
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