Nepal visit to strengthen friendship: Swaraj

Kathmandu [Nepal], Feb 01 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who reached Kathmandu on Thursday, said that her visit will strengthen the India-Nepal friendship.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter to inform about Swaraj's arrival in Nepal.

"Delighted to visit Nepal - India's close friend. Our relationship is of such a nature that we don't need an excuse to visit each other. My visit to Nepal is to meet friends from all political parties and strengthen (India-Nepal) friendship", he tweeted.

Swaraj is on a two-day official visit to Nepal in an effort to reach out to the country's political leadership ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance.

This is Swaraj's seventh visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014.

On Monday, the itinerary was finalised by Nepal's Foreign Ministry and the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

The External Affairs Minister was accompanied by the new Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale and Sudhakar Dalela, Joint Secretary (North) of the EAM.

Swaraj will hold meetings with Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and outgoing Nepali prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

She will also meet with CPL-UML chief Oli, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Madhesi leaders. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI