Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai inaugurated the 'Global Bihar Summit' in Patna in the bordering Indian state of Bihar Friday afternoon.

Addressing the summit after the inauguration, PM Bhattarai praised the economic progress made by Bihar in the last few years and added that Nepal could take lessons from Bihar's success story.

Meanwhile, PM Bhattarai held a discussion with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the sidelines of the summit, dwelling on economic issues and flood control and border security.

Earlier, he met Bihar governor Devananda Kunwar at his office soon after landing at the Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and senior members of his cabinet received PM Bhattarai when he landed at the airport.

Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar S.K. Modi, senior cabinet members and top state officials including the Chief Secretary, Director-General of Police, Home Secretary and Cabinet Secretary were present at the airport to receive PM Bhattarai, Indian media reports said. Also present at the airport were State Legislative Council Chairman, Tarakant Jha, and state Assembly Speaker U.N. Choudhary.

PM Bhattarai had left for Patna on a chartered aircraft of the Nepal Army at 10 am. The PM's delegation comprises of around a dozen government officials and leaders including National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Dipendra Bahadur Chettri. India's senior policy advisors, planners, political leaders and foreign delegates will participate in the summit.

PM Bhattarai, who flew to Patna on a day trip at the invitation of chief minister Nitish Kumar, returned to the capital in the evening. nepalnews.com