Bilateral talks to be held between Deuba and Modi in Lumbini

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting in Lumbini.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement today that Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lumbini would be formalized and a bilateral meeting would be held in that regard.

While in Lumbini, the two Prime Ministers will hold bilateral talks and exchange views on Nepal-India cooperation and matters of mutual interests. The Prime Minister of Nepal will host a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister of India and the visiting delegation.

Dr. Narayan Khadka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will call on Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.

Modi is coming to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti on 16 May at the invitation of Prime Minister Deuba. This is Modi's fifth visit to Nepal since 2014.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi will pay homage at the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini. After that, the Prime Ministers of both the countries are scheduled to address the program organized by Lumbini Development Trust.

Modi is also said to have participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a center for Buddhist culture and heritage at the plot of the International Buddhist Federation (IBC), New Delhi, within the Lumbini monastery.

‘Prime Minister Modi’s visit continues the tradition of regular high level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighborhood First policy. It underscores the shared civilizational heritage of the people of both countries', in the statement MEA said.