Press Release
Rt Hon President’s engagements today
The Rt Hon President Ms Bidya Devi Bhandari was called on by the Minister of External Affairs of India Her Excellency Ms Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Home Affairs of India Mr Rajnath Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.
During the call on, Her Excellency Minister of External Affairs stated that India has attached high priority to cooperative relations with Nepal and mentioned that her Ministry has been undertaking regular review of bilateral cooperation projects in order to ensure their timely progress.
During the separate call on, His Excellency Minister of Home Affairs mentioned of the excellent state of bilateral cooperation including in the area of security and stated that India would always be supportive for Nepal’s progress and prosperity.
The Rt Hon President stated that the close and friendly bilateral relations should be further strengthened for into a mutual partnership for growth and development.
In the afternoon, the Rt Hon President attended the interaction programme with business community organized jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ASSOCHAM India. In her brief remarks, the Rt Hon President said that cooperation and partnership has become the defining feature of inter-state relationship in today’s globalized and interdependent world. She mentioned that Nepal treats private sector as partner for development and has provided various incentives for the private sector to grow including low tariff, simplification of taxes, development of trade and industry related basic infrastructure. She called on the investors from India to visit Nepal and take advantage of the investment opportunities available in Nepal.
Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat also addressed the programme and highlighted the salient features of business friendly policy initiatives and other measures undertaken in Nepal.
Earlier in the morning, the Rt Hon President was accorded a Ceremonial Reception at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was received by His Excellency Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India and His Excellency Mr Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. During the ceremony, the Rt Hon President inspected the Guard of Honour.
The Rt Hon President visited the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and signed the visitor’s book. She also visited the Yamuna Biodiversity Park at the Bank of Yamuna River and planted a sampling there.
Remaining programmes of the Rt Hon President’s State Visit for today include call on by the Hon Finance Minister, Hon Prime Minister, Hon Vice President of India this afternoon and meeting with Hon President of India followed by the Banquet later in the evening.
Embassy of Nepal,
New Delhi
April 18, 2017
