Nepal President accorded ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav, who is on a four-day visit to India, was on Tuesday accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh were present on the occasion along with other dignitaries.

Talking to reporters, President Yadav sought increased bilateral co-operation with India.

He said India and Nepal are having good bilateral relations traditionally and it needs to be strengthened further.

The two countries are likely to sign four agreements including that on establishment of the Hetauda Polytechnic Institute, train service in five places along the Nepal-India border, expansion of air service and construction of a conference hall.

The visit is in continuation of a series of frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Discussions would also touch on trade, investment, water resources, education and development assistance at the grass root level.

He is scheduled to meet Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad Hose, followed by signing of bilateral agreements.

In the evening, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will be meeting Yadav.

At 7.30 p.m., President Yadav will call on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It will be followed by a banquet.

On Wednesday, he will be attending various programmes in Haridwar and Roorkee and will return to New Delhi on same evening.

On Thursday, Yadav will be attending various programmes in New Delhi, before returning to Kathmandu in the evening.

This will be the President Yadav's first visit to any foreign country after the country was declared Republic in May 2008. (ANI)