PM Modi regrets calling off visit to Janakpur, Lumbini, Muktinath during Nepal visit

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he regretted the "inconvenience" and "despair" among the Nepalese people after he called off his planned visit Janakpur, Lumbini and Muktinath as promised by him during his last visit.

"When I visited Nepal last time, I had expressed desire to visit Janakpur, Lumbini and Muktinath. I wanted to visit these places by road to understand the difficulties faced by the people in doing so.

"But due to time constraint I could not visit these places," he said, assuring Nepalese people that he will visit these place in near future.

He also said that he has visited a lot of countries in the recent past due to his economic engagements but his memory of Nepal is something that he cherishes.

"People of Nepal have right over Indian government and Indian people and more so on him being the pradhan sevak," he said.

The Prime Minister, who arrives here today to attend the 18th SAARC summit, was scheduled to visit Janakpur, the birth place of Sita situated 250 kms south of Kathmandu.

He was also keen to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and another sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Muktinath, located in the southern mountainous region. Yesterday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said that Prime Minister would not visit these places in view of parliament session.