Narendra Modi in Nepal: First Indian PM to visit country in 17 years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed special puja at the famous 5th century Pashupatinath temple on the second and last day of his maiden visit to Nepal on Monday.- There, Indian investment has faced less political resistance and the two countries are targeting to produce 10,000 MW of power by 2020, most of which will be exported to India.
- In June, Modi chose Bhutan for his first foreign trip, vowing to ramp up economic ties with the tiny country, which like Nepal shares a border with China.
- In a statement made before his departure, Modi promised greater political engagement with Nepal. "We will identify steps to strengthen our bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydro power, agriculture and agro-
- During the two-day trip, Modi plans to meet politicians across the spectrum, including Maoists who accuse India of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs.
- Narendra Modi paying homage to the 1965 War martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate. (Photo: PTI)
- Ahead of Modi's visit, Nepal's government urged political groups to put aside their differences, saying it was a chance to rebuild the aid-dependent economy and revitalise ties with India.
- Nepal's politicians are at odds over the proposed energy pact. Opponents say it would give Indian firms a stranglehold over Nepal's energy resources and bar other countries, like China, from investment in the sector.
- Constituent Assembly Chairperson of Nepal Subash Chandra Nemwang, left, watches as newly elected Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, center, signs documents after administrating the oath of office at the Presidential building in Kathmandu, Nepal (
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: AP)
- His will be the first bilateral visit to Nepal by an Indian prime minister in 17 years, though Indian leaders have routinely attended regional summits in Kathmandu.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Modi was given a guard of honour as he reached Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a visit to Nepal on Sunday to help speed up negotiations on a power trade pact that is at the centre of a new effort to improve ties with a neighbour that serves as a buffer with China.
- During the two-day trip, Modi plans to meet politicians across the spectrum, including the Maoists who have accused India of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs in the past. He offered special prayers this morning at Lord Pashupatinath temple, a
- Flag of Nepal.
- Since becoming prime minister in May, Modi has reached out to neighbours after years of neglect, in a policy top advisers say is key to his plans to make India a military and economic power.
- "Nepal needs highways, information ways and transmission ways. India will support you in all these," he said in an address to the Nepali parliament where he announced the $1 billion credit line for the landlocked nation.
- India has long been the dominant force in the region. But in recent years as its economy slowed and it struggled with policy paralysis, China has stolen a march, building ports from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh and power plants in Nepal.
- Both India and China are vying for political influence in South Asia, home to more than 1.5 billion people, by offering closer integration with their giant economies.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- He donated 2500 kgs of chandan (sandalwood) to the Pashupatinath Temple trust. The Hindu temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu.
- Modi was at the temple of Lord Shiva for about 45 minutes on a day, which is considered pious as it was a Monday that falls in the month of 'Shravan'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed special puja at the famous 5th century Pashupatinath temple on the second and last day of his maiden visit to Nepal on Monday.
Narendra Modi in Nepal: First Indian PM to visit country in 17 years
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