Kathmandu, Nov 3: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived here on a three-day state visit, had a very busy first day on Wednesday.
President Mukherjee was busy meeting with high-ranking leadership of Nepal after arriving earlier in the afternoon at the invitation of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
President Bhandari received her Indian counterpart at the VVIP room of the Tribhuvan International Airport. Also present to welcome the Indian President were Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Foreign Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, and the Minister in waiting for the visit Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Jeevan Bahadur Shahi.
Both Presidents in the same car
Following the reception at the airport, the two Presidents took the same car to President Bhandari’s office at Sheetal Niwas. The car was adorned with the flags of both the countries. A Nepali army helicopter carried out an aerial patrol over the route designated for the travel of President Mukherjee.
The two Presidents held talks for around an hour at Sheetal Niwas.
Congratulation for new Constitution
The talks between the two Presidents were focused on mutual interest, the Foreign Ministry source said. Indian President Mukherjee congratulating President Bhandari, Nepali people and the then Constituent Assembly for promulgating the new Constitution was the major highlight of the talks.
Following the talks, President Mukherjee attended the reception hosted by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
He then met with Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other political leaders at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Boudha, where he is staying. Matters relating to bilateral interest and concern were discussed during the meetings.
The Indian President also attended a state banquet hosted by President Bhandari at Hotel Soaltee at Soalteemode this late evening. Both the Presidents delivered statements on the occasion, highlighting the need to further deepen and consolidate the cordial and harmonious relations between the two countries.
During his second day in Nepal, President Mukherjee is scheduled to attend a felicitation programme in Kathmandu University and the civic reception on behalf of Kathmandu Metropolis. Earlier in the morning, President Mukherjee will perform a special pooja at the famous Pashupatinath Temple. RSS
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