Prachanda to visit India on September 15

From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Aug 21 (PTI) Nepal’s new Prime Minister PushpaKamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ will embark on a three-day officialvisit to India on September 15, his maiden foreign trip,official sources here said today. Highly-placed sources confirmed the date for Prachanda’sIndia visit though it is yet to be officially announced. This will be Prachanda’s first foreign visit afterassuming office earlier this month. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi,who was on a visit to India as Prachanda’s special envoy, haddiscussed with Indian officials regarding the visit, accordingto Indian embassy sources here. Today’s confirmation of the date comes a day after PrimeMinister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to Prachanda tovisit India at the earliest when Nidhi called on him. He alsoconveyed his greetings and best wishes to the new governmentof Nepal led by Prachanda. Nidhi had briefed Modi about the latest developments inNepal. Modi said India is fully committed to support thegovernment and the people of Nepal in the post-earthquakereconstruction efforts. He also reiterated India’s commitmentto strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship and kinshipwith the people of Nepal. PTI SBP AJRSAI