Modi, Nepal PM KP Oli flag off Indo-Nepal bus service from Janakpur to Ayodhya in UP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Nepal on Friday where he will meet Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun.

Defence Minister of Nepal Ishwor Pokharel and Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut received PM Modi at Janakpur Airport.

Narendra Modi offered prayers at Janki Temple in Nepal's Janakpur.

While addressing at the launch of Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service, Modi said,''India and Nepal will work towards building 'Ramayan' circuit between both the countries. This will act as foundation for strong people to people contact between the two nations.''

''I am glad to be here in Janakpur. I am here to pay respects to King Janak and Mata Janaki. I thank the PM of Nepal Shri Oli for accompanying me during this visit to Janakpur,'' says PM Narendra Modi.

Narendra Modi and Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli flagged off the Indo-Nepal bus service from Nepal's Janakpur to Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

In the evening, he will hold delegation-level talks with Oli, External Affairs MInistry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Modi's visit to Nepal is seen as an attempt by both the countries to bring back normalcy in ties after a spell of uneasiness as it comes little over a month after his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli came to India.

The prime ministers are likely to sign a number of pacts and inaugurate the Rs 6000-crore Arun 3 project which is expected to generate around 900 MW of power. Modi will also attend a banquet hosted by Oli tomorrow.

On Saturday, he will visit Muktinath. He will come back to Kathmandu in the afternoon and offer prayers at Pashupathi Nath temple, Kumar said.

Later, Modi will meet the leaders of various political parties which will be followed by a civic reception to be hosted by the mayor of Kathmandu.

(with PTI inputs)