But Modi will be given public reception at the three pilgrimage sites, Gautam told the State Affairs Committee of Parliament on Thursday, adding that the Indian PM would not distribute bicycles or other goods to the locals. There were reports that Modi would speak to Nepalis at more than one stop and distribute goods in Janakpur.

Top government sources said three separate committees will be formed to manage the public reception to be conducted under the local banner. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Bimalendra Nidhi will honour Modi in Janakpur on November 25 at a public function.

On 28, amid a public function in Lumbini, Minister for Land Reforms and Management Dal Bahadur Rana, who is from the religious area, will receive Modi. On the same day, Constituent Assembly members from Mustang district will welcome him to the Muktinath temple.

Several lawmakers who spoke in the parliamentary committee cautioned the government not to allow any head of state or government to act against diplomatic norms and code.

Speaking in the panel along with Gautam, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said it was Modi’s wish to visit the three shrines, conveyed during his earlier visit to Kathmandu in August. As per Modi’s interest to see the mountains, said Koirala, the Muktinath visit was arranged.

“We cannot stop Modi from visiting these places as they are associated with his religious faith. We are committed to providing all the facilities to the visiting VIPs from across the region,” said the PM. Stating that there will be no deal at the summit  that is deemed detrimental to national interests, Koirala said all the pacts would be in terms of equality.

The prime minister said he had asked the officials to arrange the movement of the visiting dignitaries in such a way that it does not remind observers of the Royal days when streets would be emptied for hours to let VIPs pass.

Unified CPN (Maoist) lawmaker Giriraj Mani Pokhrel said it might be against diplomatic norms if Modi addresses the public here. He added that it would be an attack on “our nationality” if the Indian PM addressed a public gathering in Nepal during an unofficial visit.

Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC feared Modi’s planned visits to religious places and public appearances could overshadow the summit.

“Saarc Summit is not for pilgrimage and public speeches,” he told the meeting. Prem Suwal, lawmaker from the Nepal Majdur Kisan Party, raised the issue of the security of the VIPs. “Why can’t we ensure their security on our own, instead of depending on foreign advance teams?” he asked. Member Bishal Bhattarai said the home minister had assured the House panel that the government would spare no effort to provide security for the guests.

Criticising the government for announcing public holidays and barring vehicles on the road, CPN-UML lawmaker Yagya Raj Sunuwar suggested flying the VIPs from Hotel Soaltee to City Hall, the main venue of the summit, by helicopter. PM Koirala said there would be no bilateral talks at the summit: only the agendas common for all the eight members would be discussed.