Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a conversation with Nepal Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane and Balindra Shah, who is expected to lead the next government in the Himalayan country.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi said he congratulated both the leaders for their electoral victories and the resounding success achieved by the RSP in the Nepal elections.
“I had warm telephonic conversations with Mr. Rabi Lamichhane, President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Mr. Balindra Shah, Supreme Leader of RSP,” Modi said in a post on X.
He added that he conveyed India’s commitment to work with the new Nepalese government for the prosperity and well-being of both countries.
“I congratulated both leaders on their electoral victories and the resounding success of the RSP in the Nepali elections. I expressed my best wishes to their incoming new government and India’s commitment to working with them for the mutual prosperity, progress and well-being of our two countries,” he wrote.
“I am confident that with our joint endeavours, India-Nepal relations will rise to new heights in the coming years,” he added.
Read also: What Balin Shah’s victory in Nepal means for New Delhi
Modi’s conversation with leaders of the Revolutionary Socialist Party comes days after Nepal held its general elections last week on Thursday, March 5, after the country’s government was overthrown as a result of widespread protests led by the country’s youth.
The Revolutionary Socialist Party, led by 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balindra Shah, emerged as the big winner with a landslide victory, signaling Nepal’s shift away from traditional “old guard” parties.
Nepal’s election results reflected the frustration felt by its population over issues such as political instability, corruption, and youth unemployment.
Regarding India, the RSP emphasized that it intends to establish strong relations with its neighbors but aims to remain independent of any direct influence.
Balendra Shah also has a personal connection with India as he hails from the Madhesi community and has a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Karnataka.
