In what could have been an indication of India’s wholehearted acceptance to Nepal’s recent political change, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh went to Delhi airport to receive Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala when landed there Tuesday evening.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala receiving the guard of honour at TIA prior to his departure to Delhi on an official visit to India, Tuesday, June 06 06. nepalnews.com/rh

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala receiving the guard of honour at TIA prior to his departure to Delhi on an official visit to India, Tuesday, June 06 06. nepalnews.com/rh
PM Koriala flew to New Delhi with his 41-member entourage by a Nepal Airlines Corporation plane at 4:00 p.m.

This is for the first time any Indian Prime Minister has gone to the airport to receive the Nepali counterpart.

Usually, junior ministers form the Indian External Affairs Ministry would welcome Nepal’s heads of government. India had sent a state minister to receive King Gyanendra when he arrived in New Delhi last year.

Talking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport before his departure, Koirala said this was a goodwill visit that he hoped the visit to be successful.

Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh

Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh
(File Photo)

He will hold a meeting with Dr. Singh Wednesday morning. The PM is also scheduled to meet Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam and leaders of ruling and opposition political parties.

The visit will be focused on economic assistance to Nepal, according to Finance Minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat, who accompanies the PM to Delhi.

This is Koirala’s first foreign tour after his appointment as the Prime Minister on April 27 this year after a 19-day popular movement.