PM Modi in Nepal: Offers prayers at Janaki temple, flags off bus service between Janakpur & Ayodhya

This is the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Nepal and the first high-level visit from India since the formation of the new Government in Nepal this year.

Janakpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nepal’s Janakpur on a two-day state visit to Nepal during which he will hold talks with the country's top leadership to build mutual trust. After offering prayers at Janaki Temple in Janakpur, Modi along with Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli flagged off the Indo-Nepal bus service from Janakpur to Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. He addressed reporters at the temple, saying, "I am glad to be here in Janakpur. I am here to pay respects to King Janak and Mata Janaki. I thank the PM of Nepal Shri Oli for accompanying me during this visit to Janakpur." "Today's welcome in Nepal shows the affection the people of Nepal have towards the people of India. Janakpur and Ayodhya are being connected. This is a historic moment," he further said. IMAGE: Twitter/ @BJP4India Earlier, Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel and Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut received Prime Minister Modi at the airport. Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had also reached Janaki temple to welcome his Indian counterpart. Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a civic reception by the Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City at Barhabigha ground. In the afternoon, Modi will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun. In the evening, he will hold delegation-level talks with Oli, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. The two prime ministers are likely to sign a number of pacts and inaugurate the Rs 6000-crore Arun 3 project which is expected to generate around 900 MW of power.