Nepal president in India: Focus on talks to strengthen ties

Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari arrives at Delhi airport on Monday. AP

Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari arrived here on Monday on her first overseas tour during which she will hold talks with top Indian leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. “Neighbourhood first. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, President of Nepal, arrives in New Delhi on State Visit to India,” the Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

On a five-day visit, Bhandari will hold talks with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exploring ways to expand cooperation between the two close neighbours whose ties were slightly strained following the agitation by the Madhesi community last year.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also call on the Nepalese President. Bhandari was scheduled to visit India in May last year, but the trip was cancelled after the then cabinet did not endorse the visit, citing lack of preparations on part of the government.