Koirala invites PM Modi to address donors' conference in Kathmandu

Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Thursday invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit the country on June 25 to address the first donors' conference being hosted in Kathmandu.

Prime Minister Koirala also briefed Prime Minister Modi on the steps his Government is taking for the rehabilitation and reconstruction in Nepal following the earthquakes in April and May.

He also mentioned that he has sent his Finance Minister, Ram Chandra Mahat, to Delhi with a personal invitation for Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Koirala also briefed on the recent political developments, including drafting of the Constitution.

He also congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his successful visit to Bangladesh, describing it as yet another example of Prime Minister Modi's successful "Neighbours First Policy" and his commitment to deepen relations with India's neighbours.

He further congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the historic agreements signed in Dhaka and welcomed the Prime Minister's support for sub-regional connectivity between Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's unwavering and sustained support to Nepal in its rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, guided by the preference and priorities of Government of Nepal.

He assured Prime Minister Koirala that India would respect and be with Nepal in all its decisions in this regard. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed that India has always been guided by humanitarian concerns in a spirit of equality and friendship.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed his best wishes for the donors' conference in Kathmandu. He thanked Prime Minister Koirala for the invitation, conveyed that he would participate, if his schedule permitted, and assured him that India would, in any case, be represented at a high ministerial level.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his appreciation to his Nepalese counterpart on the progress in the political process on drafting of the Constitution and conveyed his best wishes for the successful conclusion of the peace process and adoption of a Constitution.

He reiterated that India's only desire was success, peace and progress for the people of Nepal.