Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for his maiden bilateral visit to fellow SAARC nation Nepal on Sunday.
Modi is paying a two-day visit to Nepal, the second country in India's neighbourhood since he took power about two months ago, reports Indian Today.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said: "I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity.”
Modi described Nepal as a close friend and neighbour.
He said: "We have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal's socio-economic development. We are committed to continuing our support to Nepal in its development efforts."
During the visit, Modi said he will have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the Nepalese leadership on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
He said he looked forward to working with the leadership of Nepal "to forge a new relationship for the new century between our two rapidly transforming countries."
Modi's visit to Nepal will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years.
This is the second neighbouring country Modi is visting after Bhutan in June.
The last bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Nepal was by IK Gujral in June 1997.
Indian Prime Ministers have gone to Nepal but as part of multilateral visits.