KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Lumbini, Nepal on May 16, 2022, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Nepal Rt Hon’ble Sher Bahadur Deuba. As Prime Minister, this was Narendra Modi’s fifth visit to Nepal and first to Lumbini.

Modi, offered prayers at the Mahaprinirvana Stupa at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today. Earlier today, the Prime Minister visited Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and offered prayers at Maya Devi Temple. He, along with Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon’ble Sher Bahadur Deuba, performed the shilanyaas ceremony for construction of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone. 

Modi also attended the 2566th Buddha Jayanti Celebrations at International Convention Center and Meditation Hall at Lumbini along with the Prime Minister of Nepal.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister also informed that the government is making numerous efforts to boost infrastructure in Kushinagar.

During his Nepal visit, Modi has signed 6 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation with Nepal.

These include programs such as Buddhist studies, hydropower projects and joint degrees at the master's level.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Lumbini Buddhist University for Buddhist studies.

Apart from this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between ICCR and Tribhuvan University on the establishment of ICCR Chair for Indian Studies. A similar MoU has also been signed with Kathmandu University.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Kathmandu University, Nepal and Indian Institute of Technology Madras on cooperation.

Apart from the MoU, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the University of Kathmandu and the IITs of India for a joint degree program at the master's level.

MoU was signed between SJVN Limited and Nepal Electricity Authority for the development and implementation of Arun 4 project.

PM Narendra Modi has reached Lumbini, Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. This is the fifth visit of PM Modi to Nepal. After coming here, he first offered prayers with Nepal's PM Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Mahamayadevi temple. After this addressed a program in Lumbini.