Highlights of Narendra Modi’s address at Nepal Parliament

# This is a moment of pride for me as I am the first guest to address your parliament, says PM Modi.

The respect that I have got is not for Narendra Modi or the PM of India. It is respect for the people of India: PM Narendra Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

There was a Samrat Ashok. After war he looked towards Buddha. From Yudh he went towards Buddha: PM Narendra Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

Shri Modi is talking about the importance of the ballot over the bullet.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

Being your neighbour and seeing our experience as a democracy we feel happy at the direction in which you are going: PM Narendra Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

A Constitution always integrates, it never divides: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

It is not our work to interfere in what you do but to support you in all your decisions, says Modi in Nepal Parliament

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Your rich water resource can be the powerhouse for India, says @narendramodi in Nepal Parliament

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Just by selling electricity to India, Nepal can find a place in the developed nations of the world, says @narendramodi

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Nepal has immense potential in tourism sector and herbal medicines, says @narendramodi

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Our relations are such that a calamity in your country affects ours and vice-versa, says @narendramodi in Nepal Parliament

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Nepal has immense potential in tourism sector and herbal medicines, says @narendramodi

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

A Constitution has to be made and Nepal has to be taken to new heights and we are ready to support you as a neighbour: PM Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

Nepal needs Highways-Infoways-Transways (HIT) and India will support you in all of these: Modi in Nepal

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

Together SAARC nations should wage a war against poverty and we should help each other in that: PM Narendra Modi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

We have decided to launch a SAARC satellite to help the SAARC nations in health and education sector: @narendramodi in Nepal

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 3, 2014

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With an aim of starting a “new chapter” in India’s relations with Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Sunday to a rousing welcome with his counterpart in a special gesture receiving him at the airport.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was received at the Tribhuvan International Airport here by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who deviated from protocol for the purpose.

First call ! In accordance with protocol Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey was the 1st to call on @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/jeoT1NLMqS

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) August 3, 2014

The Foreign Minister of Nepal meeting the PM pic.twitter.com/99qBoyecnT

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

The PM at Kathmandu airport. He landed to a very warm welcome; he was received by PM of Nepal and other dignitaries pic.twitter.com/u0EEe4PQpj

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport. A colorful ceremonial guard of honour was presented to Prime Minister Modi at the airport with the anthems of India and Nepal being played.

PM @narendramodi lands in Nepal pic.twitter.com/fVpY9Z0QEg

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

Modi was also offered a 19-gun salute by the Nepal Army.

There was tight security in and around the airport.

PM @narendramodi being received at Kathmandu airport by PM of Nepal Shri Sushil Koirala pic.twitter.com/GXmCS7D6Vt

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 3, 2014

The route from the airport to the hotel, a drive of about 10 minutes, saw an impromptu line up of the local people who had turned out in large numbers, waving flags and clicking photographs with cameras as well as mobile phones.

“I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister,” Modi had said in his pre-departure statement summing up the sentiment attached to the two-day trip.

Family reunion! Thanks to @narendramodi a happy reunion for Jeet Bahadur and family. pic.twitter.com/oNqxWzkJk3

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) August 3, 2014

A personal element is also attached the visit as the Prime Minister will be reuniting a 26-year-old Nepalese youth Jeet Bahadur with his family after over 16 years. Modi has brought along with him Bahadur whom he had accidentally found in bad condition in Ahmedabad about 16 years back then looked after him.

Warm welcome! @PMOIndia warmly welcomed by Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on arrival in Kathmandu. pic.twitter.com/HTF3EZQCHb

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) August 3, 2014

On the official part, Modi will be holding talks with his counterpart Koirala and meet other political leaders. He will also have the rare honour of addressing Nepal’s Constituent Assembly.

Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Ahead of his visit, Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a “new relationship” by identifying steps to strengthen bilateralcooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.

“I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity,” Modi had said. Describing Nepal as a close friend and neighbour, he had said, “We have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal’s socio-economic development. We are committed to continue our support to Nepal in its development efforts.”

Looking forward to visiting Nepal. Nepal & India are time-tested friends & our two nations share a common culture & heritage.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2014

During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign agreements in sectors like power. India may also announce economic aid for that country.

Referring to the recent meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission after a long gap of 23 years, Modi said it reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and cooperation with a focus on economic relations, trade and connectivity.

In 1997, then Prime Minister I K Gujral had visited Nepal. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal was A B Vajpayee in 2002 for a SAARC summit.

During his stay here, Modi would also perform a half-an-hour special prayer at the 5th century Pashupatinath temple.

He will perform the prayer at the main temple situated on the banks of river Bagmati on the outskirts of Kathmandu tomorrow by giving a bath of ‘panchamrit’ to Shiva Linga.

The temple, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world.