Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal on August 3-4

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Nepal on August 3 on a two-day official trip, the first Indian premier to tour the country after a gap of nearly 18 years.

"Indian Prime Minister will visit Nepal from August 3 to 4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and the date has been finalised," Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey told PTI.

Pandey's comments came shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Koirala at his official residence today.

This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal after a gap of nearly 18 years.

Koirala had extended invitation to Modi, when he visited Delhi during the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP leader.

Prime Minister Koirala has recently returned from USA where he had gone on a medical trip. He was administered radiotherapy to cure his lung cancer at a New York hospital.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will arrive here tomorrow to pave way for Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Nepal after assuming the office in May. This will be also her first visit to Nepal after assuming the office.

Prime Minister Modi has accorded high priority to the neighbouring countries soon after he assumed the top post.