Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba To Pay Three-Day Official Visit To India

Earlier last week, Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited New Delhi and called on Prime Minister Modi.

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (File Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is all set to embark on a three-day official visit to India beginning April 1, the country’s local media reported.

Prime Minister Deuba has already received and accepted the invitation extended by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit the neighbouring country, The Kathmandu Post citing sources said, ANI reported.

Earlier last week, Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited New Delhi and called on Prime Minister Modi.

He briefed Prime Minister Modi on initiatives being taken by both countries to increase bilateral economic cooperation and conveyed his thanks for the support extended by India for the Sri Lankan economy.

The visiting Finance Minister noted the deepening people-to-people relations between both countries, including in the cultural sphere.

Prime Minister Modi on his part spoke about the central role that Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its S.A.G.A.R (Security and Growth for all in the Region) doctrine.

He reiterated that India would continue to stand with the friendly people of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi during the meeting pointed to the potential for increasing tourist flows, including through joint promotion of Buddhist and Ramayan tourism circuits.

The Sri Lankan Finance Minister also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.

“Welcomed Finance Minister @RealBRajapaksa of Sri Lanka. Held productive discussions on our economic partnership. India continues to respond to the requirements of the people of Sri Lanka,” Jaishankar tweeted earlier on March 16.

“Neighborhood first. India stands with Sri Lanka. US$ 1 billion credit line signed for supply of essential commodities. Key element of the package of support extended by India,” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform a day later.