New Delhi: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will pay an official visit to Lumbini, Nepal, on Monday, May 16, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. Modi has been invited by the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba. Bilateral relations between India and Nepal will be discussed. Modi’s visit of less than five hours will also set the roadmap for the future partnership between India and Nepal.
The Prime Minister of India left for Lumbini this morning. Modi’s plane will stop at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, the place where Buddha died. From Kushinagar, Modi will visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Modi will begin his tour with a visit to the Maya Devi temple, where Buddha was born as Siddhartha. This is confirmed by the pillar of Emperor Ashoka installed in 249 AD.
Modi will also address the Buddha Jayanti program to be organised by the Lumbini Development Trust under the aegis of the Government of Nepal. In a separate program, the Prime Minister of India will participate in the 'foundation' ceremony for the construction of a Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage on a plot of land of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi.
Modi, who is visiting Nepal for the fifth time in his tenure of eight years, will also meet the Prime Minister of Nepal in a span of just one and a half months. A bilateral meeting will be held between the two Prime Ministers.
Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in India from April 1 to 3. He had visited Varanasi during this period. The agenda of the talks to be held between Modi and Bahadur Deuba will include issues such as hydropower development, partnership and connectivity.
While returning from Nepal, Modi will visit the Mahaparinirvana site of Lord Buddha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Itinerary
Modi left Delhi for Kushinagar at 8 am IST on a special flight. He will reach Kushinagar International Airport at 9:20 am.
Modi will fly to Lumbini, Nepal, on a MI17 Helicopter, from Kushinagar International Airport at 9.25 am.
The Prime Minister of India will reach Lumbini at 9.45 am.
Then, he will reach Maya Devi temple to offer his prayers. The Prime Minister of Nepal will also be present at the temple with Modi.
The Prime Minister of India will light the lamp at the Ashok Stambh present there.
Modi will then participate in the 'Foundation' ceremony for the construction of a Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage on a plot of land of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi inside the Lumbini Monastery area.
This will be followed by bilateral talks between Modi and Deuba in which there will be a comprehensive review of the recent agreements. After the bilateral meeting, there will be discussion on cooperation in cultural and educational fields between the two countries.
Nepal's Prime Minister will host a luncheon in honour of Prime Minister Modi and the Indian delegation.
Modi will also attend the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations. He will address a large gathering of people from Nepal and India, including Buddhist scholars and monks.
Modi will fly back to Kushinagar Airport at 4:05 pm.
Then, Modi will visit the Mahaparinirvana site of Lord Buddha, and will stay in the temple for 10 minutes
He will leave Kushinagar Airport at 4:50 pm and reach Lucknow Airport at 5:40 pm.