Nepal PM on India Visit To Repair Ties

Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli was given a ceremonial welcome at India's presidential palace on Saturday, at the start of a six-day state visit to the neighbouring country. Oli is looking to repair ties damaged by a row over the Himalayan republic's first democratic constitution. The premier of the Himalayan nation was greeted by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the president's house in New Delhi. Oli also met with members of Modi's cabinet. Oli, visiting India on Modi's invitation, is accompanied by a high level delegation, including several cabinet. Analysts say Oli will hope his bilateral meeting with Modi shows political rivals back home that he too commands India's support, considered crucial to keeping his administration in power. Nepal is also likely to press India for early completion of projects such as construction of feeder roads and cross-border electric transmission lines. Oli's is the first bilateral visit by a Nepal PM to India since the visit of Baburam Bhattarai in October 2011.