Nepal readies to welcome PM Modi again next month

Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed to woo most of Nepal during his Kathmandu trip in August. A repeat performance is expected when he arrives here again next month.

Updated on: Oct 30, 2014, 13:43:06 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed to woo most of Nepal during his Kathmandu trip in August. A repeat performance is expected when he arrives here again next month.

The main agenda for Modi’s four-day visit beginning November 25 is to attend the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit. But religious trips and bilateral issues will also be in focus.

Modi who had visited Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu in August will tour Janakpur, the mythological birthplace of Goddess Sita, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Muktinath Temple in Mustang.

“We had requested the Prime Minister to start the visit by entering Nepal by road to visit the Janaki Temple in Janakpur. He had agreed to the plan. But logistical and security details will have to be looked into before it is finalized,” said Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae.

Janakpur, which is located in Dhanusha district, is close to the Indo-Nepal border touching Bihar and there is a possibility that Modi might travel few hours by road from Patna to reach there.

“We have received intimation that Modi’s visit could start from Janakpur. Security arrangements are being beefed up and repair and beautification work of the Janaki Temple will begin in a few days,” said Krishna Prasad Dhungana, chief district officer of Dhanusha.

During his stay in Kathmandu Modi will also hold bilateral discussions with his Nepal counterpart Sushil Koirala and both countries could ink some important agreements, sources said.

A motor vehicle agreement, which has been in the pipeline since 2004, is likely to be signed. It envisages direct bus services between both nations and will make it easier and cheaper for citizens to travel to either country in their personal vehicles.

Signing of the Project Development Agreement (PDA) between Nepal’s Investment Board and India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) for the 900MW Arun III hydro-power project is also expected during Modi’s trip.

Handing over of the 200-bedded trauma centre in Kathmandu built with Indian aid and start of a youth exchange programme between both nations are other issues on Modi’s agenda.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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