India extends $1 billion to Nepal: Modi

Modi made the announcement while addressing Nepal's Constituent Assembly on his maiden visit to the SAARC nation as Indian PM.

"Our only wish is that Nepal's progress reaches as high as the Himalayas," said Modi ruling out any intervention in the affairs of Nepal.

"We are so close. Still it took 17 years to come. I assure you this will not happen again. I am coming back again for SAARC summit," said Modi on the first day of his two-day tour.

"Together SAARC nations should wage a war against poverty and we should help each other in that," he said.

"Nepal should become a leading exporter of herbal medicines and we are ready to support you in this," he said.

"We have always believed that it is not our work to interfere in what you do but to support you in the path you decide to take," he said.

Speaking on Nepal's democracy and constitution, he said: "A Constitution is not merely a book. It integrates the past, present and the future.
Not only people of Nepal but also those who believe in the power of democracy are looking at Nepal and this Assembly," he said.

He said the respect he has got in Nepal is not for Narendra Modi or the PM of India but it is a respect for the people of India.

"Our relations with Nepal are as old as the Himalayas and the Ganga," said Modi.

Modi reached the neighbouring SAARC nation Nepal as a part his two-day bilateral tour to strengthen ties with the Himalayan nation that is closely linked to India.

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

He will hold a meeting with Koirala on Sunday.

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.