Janakpur, May 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Janaki temple in this Nepalese town and announced an assistance of Rs 100 crore for the development of Janakpur, believed to be the birthplace of Sita.
“I am glad to be here in Janakpur. I am here to pay respects to King Janak and Mata Janaki. I thank the PM of Nepal Shri Oli for accompanying me during this visit to Janakpur. India will invest Rs 100 crore for the development of Janakpur,” said Mr Modi while delivering a speech at a civic reception.
Mr Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Mr K P Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated a direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya. "This is a historic moment," Mr Modi said.
Mr Modi's visit to Nepal is seen as an attempt by both the countries to bring back normalcy in their ties after a spell of uneasiness as it comes little over a month after his Nepalese counterpart Mr. Oli visited India.
This is the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Nepal and the first high-level visit from India since the formation of the new Government in Nepal this year.
On Saturday, he will visit Muktinath as well as Pashupathi Nath temple.
Later, Mr Modi will meet leaders of various political parties.
UNI ASH / VT 1437