Modi reaches Nepal to boost bilateral ties

He was received at the airport by Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and his ministers.

He will hold a meeting with Koirala later in the day.

Reports said in the squad of PM there is no minister but there could be some major bilateral announcement during the visit.

Modi also added a humane touch to his visit when he tweeted about a Nepali boy who was lost almost while in India, landed up in Gujarat and whom he cared for and helped pursue studies like his foster son.

"On a personal note my Nepal visit is very special. Years ago I met a child from Nepal, Jeet Bahadur who did not know where he was headed. I started showing my concern for Jeet Bahadur. Gradually, he took interest in academics, sports & even learnt Gujarati!," tweeted Modi of Bahadur.

"Thankfully, we were able to locate his parents. I am glad that tomorrow the parents would be reunited with their son," he posted, as reports said Modi would meet his parents while in Nepal.
 
Ahead of his visit, Modi said, "I am visiting Nepal from 3 to 4 August 2014 at the invitation of the Government of Nepal. I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister."

"My visit reflects our shared heritage of nature, history, culture, spiritualism and religion. It highlights the high priority that my Government attaches to our relations with Nepal and our determination to take our relationship to an entirely new level," he said.

His visit will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal in 17 years.

"I was delighted that Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had graced my swearing in ceremony with his presence, which demonstrated the solidarity of the people of Nepal with India and our shared commitment to democracy. The India-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting chaired by our respective Foreign Ministers also met recently after a long gap of 23 years and reviewed the entire gamut of our bilateral relations and cooperation with a focus on economic relations, trade and connectivity," he said.

Modi said, "During my visit, I will have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the Nepalese leadership on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. I look forward to working with the leadership of Nepal to forge a new relationship for the new century between our two rapidly transforming countries."

"We will identify steps to strengthen our bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydro power, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports. I will also discuss with Nepali leadership and their business leaders how we can harness the full potential of the new digital age to empower and create new opportunities for the youth of the two countries."