Hindi was the lingua franca as Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Nepal in 17 years, holding talks and addressing MPs in that language.
"Hindi was used in all conversations between Indian and Nepalese leaders including bilateral talks," Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey told IANS.
Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala conversed in Hindi during their one-on-one, soon after the Indian prime minister's arrival here.
Modi began his address to Nepal's parliament in Nepali. But after a few sentences, he switched over to Hindi, drawing loud applause now and then.
Hindi is widely spoken and understood in Nepal.
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