New Delhi:
Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday began a five-day official visit to India on the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee. He arrived in Varanasi where he is to attend a special convocation of the Banaras Hindu University.
On Tuesday, the Nepal president would attend the closing function on the 150th anniversary celebration of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya at the varsity and receive an honorary doctorate, a statement said on Monday.
President Yadav is expected to meet with President Mukherjee on December 26 and hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the same evening at 7, Race Course Road.
Vice President Hamid Ansari and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid would also be calling on him. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai is to call on him on Thursday as well as Home Minister Sushil kumar Shinde and Defence Minister A.K. Antony. He departs on Saturday.
Yadav's December 24-29 visit comes as his country is in the midst of a political crisis over formation of a national unity government.
India and Nepal enjoy a special and unique relationship rooted in shared heritage, civilization, culture and extensive people-to-people relations across an open border, said an external affairs ministry statement.
It has always been India's endeavour to support peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal. In this context, India is committed to continue its institutionalised cooperation and development assistance to Nepal, it added.
The visit is in line with the tradition of high-level political exchange between India and Nepal. President Yadav had been on an official visit to India in January/February 2011.