India to support Nepal's pursuit of peace, stability: President Mukherjee
Kathmandu: India is determined to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace and stability, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday as he described his visit as a "mission of friendship" reflecting the priority attached by the country to further strengthening the unique bilateral relationship.
"As two sovereign nations, we wish to take forward our relationship on the basis of trust, goodwill and mutual benefit. I conveyed the good wishes of the people and government of India to the friendly people of Nepal in their national efforts to achieve peace, stability and development within a federal democratic polity," Mukherjee said after the conclusion of his three-day state visit.
"Nepal has been a 'mission of friendship' and reflects the priority that India attaches to further strengthening our unique relationship with Nepal. Our destinies are inter-linked and there is recognition on both sides of the need to advance common prosperity," he said.
Mukherjee, the first Indian President to visit Nepal in 18 years, described his trip as successful and said, "The warmth and affection with which I was received by the people and Government of Nepal was truly overwhelming. It reflects the historic bonds of friendship as well as the unique and multi-faceted people-centric ties that exist between India and Nepal."
"India is determined to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability and development. Both sides agree that focus should now shift to implementation of ongoing bilateral development and connectivity projects as well as projects for post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal," he said.
During his visit, Mukherjee held "fruitful" meetings with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister Prachanda and the entire cross section of the political leadership of the country as well as members of the civil society, an official statement said.
"I conveyed that India remains committed to enhancing its partnership in all areas of priority for the people and Government of Nepal," he said.
Mukherjee invited President Bhandari to visit India. She accepted the invitation with happiness, the statement said.
"In all my meetings, I found tremendous goodwill and strong desire to advance our excellent bilateral ties for the benefit of our two peoples," he said.
Underlining the strong cultural and religious ties that unite the two nations and peoples, Mukherjee visited Pashupatinath Temple and offered prayers.
During his visit to the temple, the President announced that India will undertake two small development projects to repair and renovate the Ghats near the Pashupatinath temple on River Bagmati.
He was accorded a civic reception at Rashtriya Sabhagriha by the Kathmandu metropolitan city office, and was presented with the keys of the city.
He was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Kathmandu University.
Today Mukherjee visited the ancient city of Janakpur where he offered prayers at the Janaki Mandir and was accorded civic reception by Janakpur Municipal Corporation.
