<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala during which the two sides signed three agreements, including a NRs 69 million grant to Nepal to supply iodated salt to curb iodine deficiency diseases.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Modi, who arrived here this morning on his maiden official visit to Nepal, met Koirala at Singha Durbar Secretariat.<br /><br />The two leaders discussed various issues including Nepal's peace process and constitution-drafting process as well as economic issues.<br /><br />They also discussed various facets of mutual relations and issues of common interest.<br /><br />After the talks, Modi and Koirala witnessed the signing of three agreements.<br /><br />Under the first agreement, India will provide a grant assistance worth NRs 69 million to supply iodated salt to curb goitre and other disease s related with iodine deficiency.<br /><br />The second agreement was regarding the amendment of Articles 17 and 18 of the Pancheswor Multiple Project, the Himalayan Times reported.<br /><br />The third agreement is about cooperation between Nepal Television and Doordarshan, the state-owned television stations of both the countries, it said.<br /><br />From Singhadurbar, Modi went to the Constituent Assembly building in New Baneshwar to meet Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang.<br /><br />On his way to the Constituent Assembly, Modi stopped his convoy to meet common people.<br /><br />Earlier, Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was given a rousing welcome with his counterpart receiving him at the Tribhuvan International Airport, deviating from protocol for the purpose.<br /><br />Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport.<br /><br />Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey paid a courtesy call on Modi and briefly discussed some bilateral issues, including hydro-power, trade, energy and security.<br /><br />The meeting took place at a five star hotel an hour after Modi arrived here on a two-day trip, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years.<br /><br />"The talks were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere," Pandey told PTI after the meeting.<br /><br />Modi, in his pre-departure statement summing up the sentiment attached to the two-day trip, had said, "I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister."<br /><br />Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a "new relationship" by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala during which the two sides signed three agreements, including a NRs 69 million grant to Nepal to supply iodated salt to curb iodine deficiency diseases.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Modi, who arrived here this morning on his maiden official visit to Nepal, met Koirala at Singha Durbar Secretariat.<br /><br />The two leaders discussed various issues including Nepal's peace process and constitution-drafting process as well as economic issues.<br /><br />They also discussed various facets of mutual relations and issues of common interest.<br /><br />After the talks, Modi and Koirala witnessed the signing of three agreements.<br /><br />Under the first agreement, India will provide a grant assistance worth NRs 69 million to supply iodated salt to curb goitre and other disease s related with iodine deficiency.<br /><br />The second agreement was regarding the amendment of Articles 17 and 18 of the Pancheswor Multiple Project, the Himalayan Times reported.<br /><br />The third agreement is about cooperation between Nepal Television and Doordarshan, the state-owned television stations of both the countries, it said.<br /><br />From Singhadurbar, Modi went to the Constituent Assembly building in New Baneshwar to meet Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang.<br /><br />On his way to the Constituent Assembly, Modi stopped his convoy to meet common people.<br /><br />Earlier, Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years, was given a rousing welcome with his counterpart receiving him at the Tribhuvan International Airport, deviating from protocol for the purpose.<br /><br />Deputy Prime Ministers Bam Dev Gautam and Prakash Man Singh were also present at the airport.<br /><br />Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey paid a courtesy call on Modi and briefly discussed some bilateral issues, including hydro-power, trade, energy and security.<br /><br />The meeting took place at a five star hotel an hour after Modi arrived here on a two-day trip, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to pay a bilateral visit to Nepal in 17 years.<br /><br />"The talks were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere," Pandey told PTI after the meeting.<br /><br />Modi, in his pre-departure statement summing up the sentiment attached to the two-day trip, had said, "I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister."<br /><br />Modi had said that he looks forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a "new relationship" by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.</p>