Kathmandu: India on Thursday underlined the need to further enhance and expand cultural relations with Nepal to bolster people-to-people contact.
"Nepal and India are closely linked through their social, cultural, linguistic and traditional similarities," Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said.
"There is a need to further enhance and expand cultural ties between Nepal and India as it bolsters people to people relations," he pointed out.
The Mithila art of Bihar and that of Janakpur, a southern Nepal town has many similarities and there is a need for the artists of the two countries to work together, he said.
"Good art survives time and space and is recognized worldwide," the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Rae was speaking as chief guest at a programme with the theme `Inter Linkage between Art and Environment` jointly organised by BP Koirala India Nepal Foundation and Nepal Art Council on the occasion of the World Environment Day.
On the occasion renowned cultural academician Satya Mohan Joshi said, "art helps to bring together people of the world and spread the message of love".
During the event an art exhibition depicting Mithila Art of Janakpur and traditional Pauva Art of Kathmandu was also inaugurated jointly by Ambassador Rae and cultural academician Joshi.
Sushil Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, extended his deepest gratitude to Indian Embassy and BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation for supporting the endeavor thereby strengthening the artistic linkages between India and Nepal.
