Nepal set to welcome Modi

Nepal is all set to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a two-day official visit starting on Friday.

This will be Modi's third tour to Nepal. Preparations were in the final stages in Janakpur, Kathmandu and Muktinath where the Indian leader will be visiting.

Modi will begin his trip from Janakpur where he will offer special prayers at the Ram Janaki Mandir, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to do so with "khodasopachar" rituals.

Before Modi, former Indian Presidents Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Gyani Zail Singh and Pranab Mukherjee had performed these special prayers employing the "khodasopachar rituals", said Ram Tapeshwar Das Vaishnav, the priest at the Janaki Temple.

Later, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Modi will jointly inaugurate the Ramayan Circuit Bus Route connecting Janakpur (Sita's birthplace) to Ayodhya (Ram's birthplace).

The Ramayan Circuit is one among the 13 tourist circuits under the "Swadesh Darshan Scheme" of India.

Modi will then be offered a civic reception at the Bahrabigaha's Rangabhoomi ground where he is likely to address the people gathered to welcome him. Leaders of the parties representing the district have been invited to attend the programme. The provincial government has announced a public holiday to coincide with his visit.

After Janakpur, Modi will fly to Kathmandu to hold meetings with Oli, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and leaders of the major political parties.

The Indian Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Arun III hydroelectricity project in Sankhuwasabha district of eastern Nepal, undertaken by India's Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, through video conferencing.

The 900-MW project is expected to be completed in five years. India will spend $1.5 billion on it.

Modi and Oli will also jointly address the media. The Nepali leader will later host a dinner for his Indian counterpart.

On May 12, Modi will visit Muktinath temple at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang district to pay obeisance and also announce a "surprise gift" for its development and reconstruction.

The Annapurna trekking route in Manang will be closed for three days to trekkers and tourists due to security reasons.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City will hold a civic reception for Modi with Mayor Bidhya Sundar Sakya presenting an "artistic key" to Modi.

According to officials, certain agreements were expected to be signed between the two leaders.

Modi will also be praying at Pashupatinath temple. Security has been tightened in the country and as many as 11,000 security personnel from both countries will be deployed during the Indian leader's visit.

--IANS

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