PM Modi Congratulates Balen Shah, Rabi Lamichhane After Nepal Poll Landslide Win

By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had a telephonic conversation with Balendra Shah, who will become the next Prime Minister of Nepal and the Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane, as per media reports

Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane thanked PM Modi for his warm wishes and recognized the democratic mandate of the Nepali people.

Modi congratulated both the leaders on their electoral victories and the RSP’s resounding success in the recently concluded Nepal elections.

He emphasized India’s commitment to work with them for mutual prosperity, progress and well-being of India and Nepal.

“I am confident that with our joint endeavors, India and Nepal relations will scale new heights in the years ahead,” Modi added.

“RSP and our government will remain dedicated to fostering a relationship built on mutual respect and shared prosperity where RSP will prioritize on ‘development diplomacy’,” he said.

Lamichhane stated that the RSP government will “look forward to a partnership with India that scales new heights through cooperation in connectivity, cultural tourism, energy, and trade, ensuring a prosperous future for the people of both countries.”

Balen Shah-led RSP registered a landslide victory in Nepal’s first elections since the Gen-Z revolt in September last year that toppled the Communist-led coalition government headed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The RLP won 125 out of 165 seats, while the Gagan Thapa-led Nepal Congress was reduced to 18 seats.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led Nepal Communist Party could manage to win just 7 seats, media reports added.