Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Nepal, announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 billion for the development of Janakpur. He made the announcement while addressing a civic facilitation programme at Janakpur on Friday.

He also expressed his commitment to support the government of Nepal and provincial government to carry out development works in Janakpur and its neighbouring areas.

“I offer this cooperation from the side of 125 crore Indian citizens at the feet of Mata Janaki,” PM Modi said.

The visiting Indian PM began his address in Maithali language followed by Bhojpuri and Nepali. He then completed his address in Hindi language.

“Without Nepal, India's faith, belief and history are incomplete. Our 'Dhaam' is incomplete and Ram is also incomplete,” he said.

“We know that the regional development is connected with the development of Nepal,” he said, adding, “History is witness to the struggles faced together by India and Nepal. India is moving ahead to be one of the economic giants of the world and Nepal is following the suit.”

Modi said that democracy is the first condition of development and Nepal is moving ahead to empower it.

“I congratulate Nepal in completing three-tier of election in one year,” he said. “It is exemplary to hold the election in all the seven provinces. Democracy will further strengthen the relationship between Nepal and India,” he said.

Indian PM Modi said that Nepal and India should be connected through different highways, not just roadways but also with Information Highway, transmission highway, railways, and waterways. “That is why I have stressed on connectivity,” he said.

“Once Nepal’s inland waterways connect with India, Nepal will be connected with major ocean ways,”This will help Nepal to export its goods to other countries easily. It will present new avenues for establishment of industries,” he said.