Kathmandu. Kathmandu: Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Bikram Misri paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Poudel at The President House, Sheetal Niwas.

Speaking on the occasion, President Poudel said Nepal has benefited from the progress made by its immediate neighbour India and wants to benefit more.

“As an emerging international power, we are pleased with the progress made by India in socio-economic and technological fields, as a friend and close neighbour, Nepal has benefited from India’s progress and wants to benefit more,” President Poudel was quoted as saying by his press advisor Kiran Pokharel.

Noting that Nepal and India enjoy close social, cultural, religious, spiritual, economic and people-to-people ties for centuries, he said the relations between the two countries are based on universal equality, friendly cooperation, mutual respect and trust.

“Nepal has always accorded high priority to its relations with India and appreciates the Indian government’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ which attaches special importance to relations with neighbours,” he said.

Foreign Secretary Misri said That Nepal is at the highest position of priority as per the policy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving priority to relations with neighboring countries.

The Foreign Secretary said that during his visit, he had the opportunity to expand connectivity for the progress and development of the two countries in the modern era as well as to hold discussions with the concerned officials on issues of mutual interest and concern.