Modi and Nepal PM Oli inaugurates cross-border bus service

Janakpur (Nepal), May 11: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart K.P. Sharma Oli on Friday inaugurated a cross-border bus service linking Janakpur with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as part of a "Ramayan Circuit".

Modi, on a two-day visit to the Himalayan nation, began his trip by visiting the Ram Janaki temple. There he performed special "Shodashopachara" prayers with Oli, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.

Modi told Oli that he was extremely honoured "to be received you the way you welcomed me here".

"Mere Bhai, this welcome is an honour to all Indian citizens," Modi said. This is Modi's third visit to Nepal since he became Prime Minister.

Inaugurating the bus service, Modi said: "Ramayan Circuit will help boost tourism. This will act as a foundation for strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.