Although the announcement is yet to be made formally, the Indian side had communicated through diplomatic channels about cancellation of Modi’s original plan to visits on the sidelines of the 18th SAARC Summit.

This was disclosed byMinister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport mlendra Nidhi and senior government officials.  

 “There is no official communication regarding the cancellation of Prime Minister Modi’s visit outside Kathmandu,” said spokesperson at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu Abhay Kumar.  

Although India has not made any announcement for the visit of Prime minister Modi, the proposed visit dominated the headline of Nepal’s newspapers and political spectrum.

 “Political immaturity and diplomatic mishandling [are] responsible for cancellation of Modi’s planned trips to Janakpur, Lumbini and Muktinath,” tweeted former foreign secretary Madhu Raman Acharya.

According to media reports, During his first visit to Nepal in August, Modi had announced to visit Janakpur and worship at Janaki Temple. Nepal government had made necessary preparations in Janakpur as per Modi’s plan to visit Janakpur via Bhittamode, India on November 25.

In his statement from Janakpur, Nidhi has held various agitating Madhes-based parties allied to UCPN (Maoist) responsible for cancellation of Modi’s visit. Nidhi has also denounced “irresponsible” and “undiplomatic” activities of agitating parties.