KATHMANDU: Nepal and India have jointly announced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal, on May 16 on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, Lord Buddha’s birth anniversary.
Both the governments say Modi is visiting Nepal at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba and both the prime ministers will hold bilateral talks at Lumbini itself.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Khadka will pay a courtesy call on Narendra Modi whereas Deuba will offer a luncheon.
“The upcoming visit of the prime minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.”
Likewise, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs says, “Prime Minister Modi’s visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal in furtherance of our Neighbourhood First policy. It underscores the shared civilisational heritage of the people of both countries.”
Press Release
- At the invitation of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, will pay an official visit to Lumbini, Nepal, on 16 May 2022. The Prime Minister of India will attend the special ceremony on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini.
- The Prime Minister of India together with the Prime Minister of Nepal will participate in a prayer at the Mayadevi Temple, lay the foundation stone for the construction of a centre for Buddhist culture and heritage at the Monastic Zone in Lumbini, and address the special ceremony to be organized to celebrate Buddha Jayanti at the Lumbini International Buddhist Meditation Center and Assembly Hall.
- Dr. Narayan Khadka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will call on Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.
- 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.
- The upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of India will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations and the age-old socio-cultural bonds between the two countries.
- This will be the fifth visit of Shri Narendra Modi to Nepal as the Prime Minister of India.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
12 May 2022
