India visit successful: Prachanda

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda today said his first overseas visit to India was successful and focused on creating an "environment of trust" and effectively implement bilateral projects for Nepal's benefit.
After returning to Kathmandu following the four-day visit, Prachanda said the visit helped the nations strengthen ties.
He said the visit was "successful" and has taken India- Nepal ties to "a new height".
"The visit was more focused on creating an environment of trust with a good intention and effectively implementing the projects for Nepal's benefits at the earliest as agreed earlier rather than raising many issues," he told reporters at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport.

He, however, said closeness with India would not hamper Nepal's relationship with China.
"Nepal's relationships with the two neighbours had distinct dimensions," he said.

During Prachanda's visit to India, the two countries signed a 25-point joint communique.
He had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In New Delhi yesterday, he had said "dil se baat hui, khul ke baat Hui (we talked with an open heart) and both the countries found new grounds to move forward."
Earlier today, he was welcomed at the airport by Speaker Onsari Gharti, and Deputy Prime Ministers Bimalendra Nidhi and Krishna Bahadur Mahara.
Prachanda's visit came in the backdrop of a previously strained India-Nepal ties following the months-long blockade of border trade points by Madhesis - who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians - over the new Constitution.

The Madhesi people allege that the Constitution is discriminatory to their interest and marginalise them politically.