Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is in New York to attend the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, held separate meetings with the Heads of State and Governments of the SAARC countries on Thursday.

During the meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the two leaders discussed the issues of bilateral interests and cooperation.

Likewise, PM Deuba held separate meetings with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the United Nations.

In both the meetings, issues of mutual interests and different aspects of cooperation were discussed, it is said.

PM Deuba had arrived here Wednesday by leading a 20-member Nepali delegation to address the UNGA.

During the meeting, Pakistani counterpart Abbasi extended invitation to PM Deuba for Pakistan visit.

Present during the meetings were Foreign Affairs Adviser to the PM Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, and Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, Durga Prasad Bhattarai among others.

Similarly, PM Deuba had a courtesy meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

During the meeting, Sri Lankan President Maithripala expressed his interest to visit Nepal in opportune time while recalling Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari's visit to Sri Lanka, shared PM's Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr Dinesh Bhattarai.

The two leaders also dwelt on the challenges and potentials of the SAARC region.

President Maithripala had expressed his commitment to support the reconstruction of the Anandakuti Bihar and Machhindranath Temple of Nepal.

PM Deuba had arrived here Wednesday by leading a 20-member Nepali delegation to address the UNGA.