Delhi: Nepal's King Gyanendra and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on March 20 held wide-ranging discussions on a host of issues, including the evolving situation in Iraq.

The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed on the need to further consolidate economic ties. The Prime Minister later hosted a dinner for King Gyanendra, who is on a 12-day visit to India.

The Nepalese King will have meetings with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi.

President A P J Abdul Kalam will host a dinner for Gyanendra on March 21.

The Nepalese King will leave for Chennai on March 22. He will then visit Kanchipuram, Kamakshi Temple, Kamakoti Shankaracharya Mutt and Madurai.

He will offer prayers at Tirupati temple, as also the Jagannath temple. He will visit Jamnagar, Dwarka and Goa.

"We welcome the opportunity for exchange of views at the highest level," External Affairs Ministry spokesman said adding, "India and Nepal share longstanding and friendly relations."

PTI