Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday gifted a Rudarksha mala to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nepal PM, who had arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, gave the 'special gift' during the bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House.

Best wishes from the friendly people of Nepal



A special gift of Rudraksh for PM @narendramodi from Prime Minister of #Nepal K.P Sharma Oli. pic.twitter.com/dG61PXz8SD Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) May 31, 2019

Rudraksha mala is made up of a seed of sacred plant that grows in Himalayan region. The seeds are used to as prayer beads in Hinduism. They are associated with the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting the mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya by devotees.

During an exclusive interview to India Today TV, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli said that ties between India and Nepal were historic. PM Oli said that his country has extended an invitation to President of India for a visit.

Commenting on BIMSTEC and not SAARC being the choice of invitees in this swearing-in ceremony, KP Sharma Oli asserted on a need to revive SAARC. He said that even though Bay of Bengal alliance was important but it cannot replace SAARC.