Modi's visit to Janakpur in Nepal axed

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to Janakpur, revered as the land of goddess Sita in Hindu mythology, has been cancelled, it was announced Thursday.

Nepal's Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Bimalendra Nidhi said the decision had been conveyed by the Indian embassy to the Nepalese foreign ministry.

"I regret to inform that the visit of Indian PM (to Janakpur) has been cancelled," he said.

Modi planned to visit Janakpur Nov 25, a day ahead of the formal start of the 18th SAARC Summit. He had promised to visit Janakpur when he came to Nepal in August.

An advance Indian security team visited Janakpur and cleared his visit. Security was tightened across the city and the Nepal-India border in view of his proposed visit.

But Modi will very much go to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Muktinath, a Hindu and Buddhist holy site, officials said.

"We have lost a huge opportunity," Nidhi said in a statement.

The minister accused the Maoist-led 22-party alliance for the cancellation of the visit.

"We had decided to welcome the Indian prime minister at the Ram-Janaki temple followed by a civic reception.

"But some local Maoist and Madhesh-based leaders ... submitted a memorandum to the Birjung-based Indian Consular General Office against the (visit).

"I condemn such inappropriate and extremist steps," Nidhi said.