The city, also known as Janakpurdham, will host a felicitation ceremony in Modi’s honour after he performs puj... Read More

(This story originally appeared in on May 4, 2018)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start his two-day visit to Nepal on May 11 by visiting the historic city of Janakpur and offering prayers at the Janaki temple, seeking to strengthen cultural bonds between the two countries, before proceeding to the capital city Kathmandu on the same day.

The city, also known as Janakpurdham, will host a felicitation ceremony in Modi’s honour after he performs puja in the temple dedicated to goddess Sita, people aware of the matter said.

The Nepal government has made arrangements to honour Modi at the Barhabigha ground, which is expected to accommodate around 1,000 locals. The local administration also expects the Indian PM to address the gathering at the felicitation ceremony.

Analysts said Modi’s decision to start the visit from Janakpur instead of Kathmandu signified a departure from norms which is characteristic of his style of diplomacy.

Modi’s trip is scheduled within weeks of Nepal PM KP Oli’s India trip, which opened new vistas in connectivity links between Delhi and Kathmandu.

On May 11, Oli is also scheduled to visit the temple, where the two PMs will jointly inaugurate the Ramayana Circuit. “This visit will take to new heights the historical, cultural and religious ties between Nepal and India,” said Nepal’s home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.

Modi will also visit Muktinath temple and the Indian Embassy’s pension camp in Pokhara, besides calling on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, according to Nepalese government officials.

Although no new agreement is expected to be signed during Modi’s trip, decisions are likely to be taken for effective implementation of agreements signed during Oli’s India visit. Three agreements were signed during Oli’s India trip, for development of inland waterways, cross-border railways and cross-border petroleum pipeline.

