New Delhi, 27 March (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal. In a message posted on the social media platform X, PM Modi said that Shah’s appointment reflects the trust reposed by the people of Nepal in his leadership and expressed eagerness to work together to take India‑Nepal friendship and cooperation to new heights.

PM Modi underlined that strengthening the bonds between the two countries is in the mutual interest of both India and Nepal. In his post, he wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to Balendra Shah on your assumption of office as Prime Minister of Nepal. Your appointment reflects the confidence which the people of Nepal have placed in your leadership. I look forward to working with you to carry forward the historic, close and multifaceted India‑Nepal friendship to even higher levels, for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”

The message comes a day after Shah took oath as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister, with the regional Rastriya Swatantra Party securing a strong mandate in the March 2026 general election. Indian officials have indicated that New Delhi is keen to deepen economic, connectivity and people‑to‑people ties with the new government in Kathmandu, even as both sides keep working through the usual sensitivities in their bilateral relationship.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar