‘President Bhandari was received as per India’s established practice; it was not an insult’

KATHMANDU, April 18: UML MP Rajan Bhattarai has clarified that the Indian Government received President Bidya Devi Bhandari as per India’s established practice.

After President Bhandari, who is on a five-day state visit to India, was received by India’s Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Raj at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, social media in Nepal criticized the Indian government claiming that it was an insult to President Bhandari and Nepali’s nationality.

Talking to journalist Rishi Dhamala at a radio program ‘Nepali Bahas‘, Bhattarai said, “In India, State Minister receives guests. It’s their established practice. President Bhandari will have ceremonial reception at Rastrapati Bhawan.”

“It is rare in India that guests are received by different persons. When Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal visited as Prime Ministers, Gyanendra Shah visited as Head of the State and Former President Ram Baran Yadav visited India, they were also received by the State Minister. Such are the examples, so there is no need to convert it into a big issue, “he added.

“When Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Nepal, President Bhandari herself received him at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Mukherjee was given special reception where he landed. India has different practice.”

“We should understand the diplomatic trend between Nepal and India before making any remarks,” said Bhattarai.