KATHMANDU, May 11: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Nepal today for a two-day official visit. PM Modi will be landing at 10:15 AM via Indian air force special helicopter where he will be having program at Janakpur and will be coming to Kathmandu.
This is PM Modi’s third visit for Nepal after becoming the 16th Prime Minister of India. For the first time, Modi came to Nepal on 3-4 August, 2014, when Nepal was undergoing acute labor pain for promulgating a federal constitution. For the second time he visited Nepal on 26-27, November, 2014, on the occasion of the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.
A special security has been arranged for Modi this time, never seen before. Security has been beefed up in Kathmandu, Janakpur and Muktinath.
According to sources, more than 10,000 security personnel including Nepal Army, Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Police and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) will be deployed for the security of PM Modi under the command of Nepal Army.
Swaraj to arrive at 3:30 PM today
According to Indian Consul General B C Pradhan stationed at Birgunj, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to land in Janakpur via Patna at about 10:15 am Friday. Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel will receive Modi at Janakpur 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.
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.
