Myanmar’s President Win Myint visited Lumbini, birth place of Gautam Buddha, in Rupandehi district on Wednesday.

President Myint offered prayers at the Mayadevi temple and inspected Ashoka pillar and other historically and archaeologically important sites with enthusiasm. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari, Chief Minister of Province 5 Shankar Pokharel and officials of Lumbini Development Trust welcomed President Myint who arrived in Lumbini with his wife.

Myint, who landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday to take part in BIMSTEC Summit, came to Bhairahawa on a chartered flight. He was later taken to Lumbini on a helicopter. Security was beefed up in Lumbini and the surrounding areas during Myint’s visit.

Talking to Nepali officials in Lumbini, the Myanmar president said both Nepal and Myanmar could take benefits through tourism in Lumbini by promoting Buddhist culture and history. “Stating that Nepal and Myanmar are close culturally, President Myint assured to strengthen bilateral ties,” said Metteyya Sakyaputta, vice-chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust. Myint expressed hope that his Lumbini visit would encourage the people of Myanmar to visit the Buddha’s birth place.