KATHMANDU, NOV 11 - The government is exploring options over allowing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver public speech in Janakpur and Lumbini.
The government and its agencies found themselves in a tight spot after Modi expressed his desire to address the public in two revered religious sites for the Hindus and Buddhists. Besides security issues, there were concerns over the kind of public platform to be accorded to Modi in Janakpur and Lumbini, said multiple sources. Although the Indian premier is said to have been given a go-ahead at the highest political level, the authorities are keen to keep the functions away from controversies. After weighing several options, the government has prepared a template of the public function in consultation with the Indian side to avoid embarrassment.
The Foreign Ministry is closely coordinating with other concerned government agencies to honour Modi’s request, but they are yet to come up with a concrete template for the public meeting, conceded Khaganath Adhikari, Foreign Ministry spokesperson. “The best option to have crossed our minds so far is to organise these programmes under the local Nepali banner, where senior Cabinet ministers can address them ahead of Modi. Some local leaders can also deliver make speech,” said another ministry official involved in consultations.
According to the official, the Indian side had assured them that Modi’s speech would not have anything beyond completely make a speech like in India or his political constituencies so that we should not remain that level of cautious in this respect, said the official adding that Nepali side sees this opportunity to strengthening the bilateral ties.
Should Modi’s Lumbini and Janakpur plans materialise, it would be the first public address in Nepal by any visiting foreign dignitary. In August, Modi became the first visiting head of government to address Parliament.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay are also scheduled to visit Lumbini on the margins of the 18th Saarc Summit.
Janakpur preparations into high gear
Authorities of both Nepal and India have stepped up preparations for a scheduled Janakpur visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month.
The 22 km road linking Vittamod in India to Janakpur in Nepal, which the Indian premier is said to be using during his visit, is being repaired.
Representatives of security agencies and officials from the two sides have started taking stock of development and security situation in Janakpur. That was preceded by the inspection visit by Home Secretary Surya Prasad Silwal, IGP Upendra Kanta Aryal and Jit Bahadur KC, chief investigation director of the National Investigation Department.
Likewise, Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae also visited Janakpur earlier to take stock of security situation of the town.
A helipad is being built on the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial College at Sursand town of Sitamarhi district in the Indian state of Bihar for the visit. The Indian PM is scheduled to arrive in the Indian town on a helicopter and travel overland to Janakpur.
Army to coordinate Saarc security
The Nepal Army will be coordinating the overall security during the 18th Saarc Summit taking place on November 26 and 27.
The NA troops started patrolling the areas inside Ring Road on Saturday, said the Army spokesperson Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel.
Under the government plan, the NA will provide security to the heads of state and government from the Saarc region with assistance from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department.
Pokhrel said preparations are under way to finalise the integrated security action plan for the summit.
The government has formed a committee consisting of officials from the security agencies and concerned ministries under Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam. The committee has formed various sub-committees, each commissioned to look after different aspects of the security plan including the transport services arrangements for the VVIPs, traffic management, threat assessment and medical service.
Members of various sub-committees have already completed observations of the Tribhuvan International Airport, hotel and retreat sites and are coordinating with the concerned authorities for security arrangements, the NA said.
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