Indian PM Modi arrives in Lumbini (with video)

KATHMANDU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Lumbini on an official visit to Nepal.

He arrived in Lumbini from a special helicopter of the Indian Air Force, leading an 11-member delegation.

Upon his arrival in Lumbini, Prime Minister Modi signed the visitors’ book.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba warmly welcomed his Indian counterpart Modi at the helipad constructed near the International Buddhist Prayer Center and the Auditorium.

Prime Minister Deuba’s wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, Home Minister Balkrishna Khand, Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Renukumari Yadav, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Devendra Poudel welcomed the delegation led by Modi.

Lumbini Chief Minister Kul Prasad KC, Chief Secretary to the Government of Nepal Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Poudel, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr Shankar Sharma, Acting Ambassador of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu Namgya Khampal also welcomed the distinguished guests.

After disembarking from the helicopter, he greeted the assembled public by shaking hands.

After this, Indian Modi is scheduled to pay obeisance at the Mayadevi temple.