Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari arrived in the Indian capital of New Delhi today for a five-day visit during which she will meet the senior leadership of the country besides visiting temples in Gujarat and Odisha.
This is her first state visit abroad after assuming the office in October 2015.
"A high-level delegation comprising ministers, MPs and senior officials will be accompanying her. Her visit will reflect the priority that India attaches to further strengthening the age-old and unique partnership with Nepal, shared cultural and historical linkages and strong people-to-people relationship," Joint Secretary (North) in the external affairs ministry Sudhakar Dalela said on Sunday.
Bhandari is set to meet President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other leaders, Dalela said at an MEA briefing.
"The President will host a banquet in her honour on Tuesday. She will also visit Gujarat and Odisha and pay obeisance at temples of Dwarka, Somnath and Puri," Dalela added.
Bilateral ties between India and Nepal had been rocked last year due to the Madhesi agitation and blockade of Indian goods into the landlocked nation. Bhandari was scheduled to visit India in May last year, but it was cancelled after the then cabinet in Nepal refused to endorse the programme.