KATHMANDU, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that his government has given top priority to relations with Nepal under his Neighborhood First Policy.
Modi, who is in his third visit to Nepal after becoming Indian prime minister in 2014 said at Janakpur, a religious and tourism city in eastern Nepal, that the Himalayan country comes first in India's priority under Neighborhood First Policy.
Modi started his visit through Janakpur where deity Sita, also known as Janaki was born as per Hindu mythology as narrated in epic Ramayan.
Modi who described his visit as a pilgrim rather than as a prime minister, offered prayer at the Janaki temple on Friday morning and participated in the Civic Reception bestowed upon him by Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City.
He also announced assistance of 1 billion Indian rupees (14.85 million U.S. dollars) for the development of Janakpur.
Addressing the Civic Reception ceremony, Modi said he wanted to help Nepal to achieve development and prosperity for its people, adding that he wanted to enhance better connectivity with Nepal through highways, information ways, transmission lines, railways, waterways and airways.
"These connectivity measures will help Nepal to get better market access, thereby encouraging the establishment of industries and employment creation," Modi said.
He said the two sides can work on 5Ts -- Tradition, Trade, Tourism, Technology and Transport for the development and prosperity of both countries.
Modi is also scheduled to visit another religious shrine Muktinath at Mustang district in western Nepal on Saturday.