Pranab Mukherjee begins 3-day Nepal visit today

President Pranab Mukherjee will embark on a three-day state visit to Nepal on Wednesday, the first by an Indian Head of State in 18 years, during which he will hold talks with political leadership there besides visiting historical temples of Pashupatinath and Ram Janki.

The President’s visit is seen as an extension of “intensive engagement” by India with Nepal, which adopted its democratic Constitution in 2015, at political and functional levels.

“The President has had a long involvement with the people of Nepal, with the political leaders of Nepal and he has been a person who has played an instrumental role on behalf of India in his different capacities as defence minister, as finance minister and as external affairs minister in the process of democratic evolution within Nepal,” press secretary to the President Venu Rajamony had said.

Mr Mukherjee is likely to be received by President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

A formal meeting between the two Heads of State has been lined up at the official residence of Ms Bhandari — Shital Niwas. Ms Bhandari will also host a state banquet in honour of Mr Mukherjee. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will also host a dinner.

“India is giving particular focus on our ongoing development, connectivity and economic projects as well as number of projects under the lines of credit. These projects are being reviewed periodically at the highest level..,” joint secretary Sudhakar Dalela said.