KATHMANDU, May 11: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Janakpur today for a two-day official visit to Nepal.
Chief Minister of Province 2, Lalbabu Raut and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel received PM Modi at the airport.
After a brief welcome and introductions session at the airport, Modi and his team will be escorted to Janaki Temple, where Prime Minister Oli will welcome him. Accompanied by the head and deputy priests, Modi will then offer special prayers at Janaki Temple and make a brief statement announcing the launch of the Ramayan Pilgrim Circuit from the temple premises.
Indian President Mukherjee arrives in Janakpur
The two prime ministers are scheduled to jointly flag off the Janakpur-Ayodhaya Bus Service after the announcement of the Ramayan Circuit that seeks to connect all religious sites related to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in Nepal and India.
While Prime Minister Oli will fly back to Kathmandu after the flagging off ceremony, Modi will be escorted to Barhabigha grounds-- some 500 meters from Janaki Temple-- for the civic reception to be offered on behalf of Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City. The provincial government, which expects to bring over 100,000 people from the eight districts in the province, has made arrangements for a cultural program till the Indian prime minister arrives at the venue.
According to officials at the provincial and local governments in Janakpur, Modi will be offered a letter of felicitations in four different languages including Maithili, Nepali, Hindi and English on behalf of the Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City.
Prime Minister Modi will fly to Kathmandu after spending a little over two hours in Janakpur.
In Kathmandu, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with Oli, pay a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari, and hold meetings with top leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center), Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal.
Besides visiting Muktinath Temple, Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to jointly inaugurate the 900 MW Arun III hydro Project with Prime Minister Oli.
