India will make all efforts to take Nepal to new heights: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the bond between India and Nepal is as old and strong as the bond between the Ganga and the Himalayas and that India will make all the efforts required to take Nepal to new heights.

"I am the first guest in your Parliament who has been invited to speak. This is an honor for all Indians. The bond between Nepal and India is as old as the Ganga and the Himalayas. There is a temple in Kashi where the priest is from Nepal, and similarly, there is a temple in Nepal where the priests are Indian, such is our bond," said Modi.

"India will extend Rs. 10,000 crore to Nepal as line of credit to be used according to Nepal's priorities. Even in providing electricity, we want to double the amount of electricity we provide to Nepal and we are ready to work with Nepal in all its efforts. We are ready to take this country to new heights," he added.

He also said that the world that believes in democracy is looking towards Nepal as it had chosen a path of peace.

"The world that believes in democracy is looking towards Nepal, to the leaders sitting here. A Constitution is not a book, it brings yesterday, today and tomorrow together. The Constitution should be such that it pleases all and should be for all," Modi said.

"The world will get a way towards peace from this land; your Constitution will pave way for that. King Asoka went in search of peace and I congratulate you all that you chose the path of 'Budha' rather than 'yudha' (war)," he added.

He further said that Nepal tourism has the capacity to attract tourists from all over the world.

"Tourism is an area which provides employment opportunities to all and there can be nothing better for adventure tourism than Nepal, this land has such potential that it can attract people from all over the world," said Modi.

"Youths interested in adventure sports can be attracted to Nepal, which will benefit people from all sections of the society and it can take Nepal to new heights. We have to take Nepal to new heights," he said.

He also said that the India wants to see Nepal as a powerful nation as it has the potential of becoming one.

"We want to see Nepal become a powerful nation and it has the potential of becoming one. Why can't Nepal be the largest exporter of herbal medicine when it has all the resources?" said Modi.

"Nepal needs highways and we will support you that. There should be bridges between Nepal and India. A border should be a bridge, not a barrier. We have decided to launch a SAARC satellite to help the SAARC nations in the field of health and education," he added.

Earlier today, Modi reached Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu today for his maiden bilateral visit to fellow SAARC nation Nepal, where he was given a guard of honor.

Modi who is being accompanied by a high level delegation was received by the country's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal in 17 years, and in his departure statement he has said that he hopes to take the Indo-Nepal relationship to an entirely new level.