In first visit to Nepal after 2020 border row, PM Modi visits Buddha’s birthplace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Nepal for a four-day visit. This is his first visit to the country since ties were affected due to a border dispute in 2020.

PM Modi received a warm welcome after landing in Lumbini. Prime Minister Deuba, his wife Arzu Deuba and several Nepal ministers received him.

Also read: Thomas Cup reactions: Dear Mr. Gavaskar, Enough with 1983, It’s 2022!

The Prime Ministers then offered prayers at Maya Devi temple on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The temple is considered to be the birthplace of Buddha.

The ties were put back on track last month when Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba visited India. During his trip, the two Prime Ministers agreed to resolve the row through the mechanism already in place.

Also read: Sri Lanka PM likely to provide ‘full explanation’ of financial crisis today

Meanwhile, relations between the two countries were strained after Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Oli-led government issued a new political map in which it claimed disputed areas in the Kalapani region as its own.

Earlier, in his departure statement, PM Modi said he looks forward to meeting Prime Minister Deuba to continue to expand cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower and connectivity.

Also read: Buddha Purnima: PM Narendra Modi recalls principles of Lord Buddha

“Our ties with Nepal are unparalleled. The civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal form the enduring edifice of our close relationship,” PM Modi had said.