Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Balendra Shah on his swearing-in as Nepal’s Prime Minister, expressing confidence in further strengthening the close ties between the two neighboring countries.
In a message shared on X on Friday, Modi extended warm congratulations to Shah, acknowledging the trust placed in his leadership by the people of Nepal.
Balendra Shah, the parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), took the oath as Nepal’s democratically elected Prime Minister today.
The 35-year old, rapper-turned-politician, Shah became prime minister after his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party won 182 seats in the 275-member parliament in the March 5 election, the first vote after the anti-corruption Gen Z protests in which 76 people were killed in September last year.
Emphasizing the deep-rooted and historic bonds between India and Nepal, Modi reiterated his commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors. He stated, “I look forward to collaborating closely with you to elevate India-Nepal friendship and cooperation for the benefit of both our peoples.”
India and Nepal have maintained robust cultural, economic, and strategic relations, supported by an open border and strong people-to-people connections. Their bilateral relationship is marked by frequent high-level exchanges, focusing on trade, connectivity, energy, and infrastructure development.
Shah’s leadership begins at a pivotal moment as both nations aim to boost regional cooperation and economic ties. Modi’s message underscores India’s dedication to nurturing its diplomatic partnership with its Himalayan neighbor.