Nepal has always been secular: Advani

The comments came despite BJP's concerns over Nepal ending its unique status as the world's last Hindu kingdom.

Despite his party's concerns over Nepal ending its unique status as the world's last Hindu kingdom, senior BJP leader LK Advani on Friday maintained that the neighbouring country has been a secular state all along.

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"Nepal has always been a secular country. It is secular today, it was secular when it was (formally) called a Hindu kingdom," the leader of Opposition told reporters after a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala here.

His comments came barely a day after BJP chief Rajnath Singh expressed concern over Nepal's parliament declaring the country a secular state.

"It's just like India... A Hindu-majority but a secular country," Advani remarked when asked about his reaction to the Himalayan Kingdom stipulating that it would no longer be formally known as a Hindu country.