PM Modi arrives in Kathmandu for 18th SAARC Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Tuesday to attend his first SAARC Summit, being hosted by the Government of Nepal.

He was given a Guard of honour upon his arrival at the Kathmandu airport.

In a statement prior to his departure for Kathmandu, Prime Minister Modi said that the development of close relations with India's neighbours was a key priority for his government.

"Although this is my first SAARC Summit, during the last six months, I have interacted extensively with leaders of SAARC countries beginning with their auspicious presence at my swearing-in ceremony. Development of close relations with our neighbours is a key priority for my Government," said Prime Minister Modi.

"We have undertaken several initiatives in this regard on bilateral, sub-regional and regional basis, and will continue to do more. We hope that the Summit will lead to concrete outcomes, particularly in regard to various initiatives on enhancing connectivity that have been under discussion for a long time," he added.

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with other South Asian Heads of State and Government on the margins of the SAARC Summit.

This will be his second visit to Nepal within four months, where some concrete agreements in the areas of connectivity and development cooperation are expected to be concluded.