Modi Congratulates Balendra Shah on Becoming Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister

New Delhi, March 27, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his congratulations to Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the 47th Prime Minister of Nepal, describing the occasion as a reflection of the trust the Nepalese people have placed in his leadership. Shah’s appointment follows his party’s decisive victory in Nepal’s parliamentary elections earlier this month.

In a message posted on social media, Mr. Modi welcomed the new Nepalese head of government and expressed his eagerness to work with him to advance the longstanding friendship between India and Nepal. He said the two countries share deep historical, cultural and economic ties, and that cooperation between them can be further strengthened for the benefit of the people on both sides of the border.

Shah, a 35‑year‑old former rapper, civil engineer and ex‑mayor of Kathmandu, assumed office following a landslide win by his party in the recent general elections, marking a generational shift in Nepal’s leadership. The youthful premier has become one of the youngest leaders in the country’s history, capturing popular support with a message of reform and change.

In his congratulatory note, Mr. Modi highlighted that Shah’s rise reflects the confidence placed in him by the Nepalese electorate. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to engage with the new government on key areas of mutual interest, including development, connectivity and people‑to‑people links.

Diplomatic observers say that early engagement between New Delhi and Kathmandu under the new leadership is likely to set the tone for deeper collaboration on regional stability, economic development and shared priorities in South Asia.

Shah’s swearing‑in took place in Kathmandu, where he pledged to address pressing national issues such as unemployment, economic reform and governance, while also maintaining constructive relations with neighbouring countries.

The Indian Prime Minister’s message was welcomed in Nepal, where political circles noted that strong India–Nepal ties remain a key element of regional cooperation and shared prosperity.

Shah’s government is set to take up a full agenda of domestic reforms and diplomatic outreach in the coming weeks, with early visits to foreign capitals expected to follow.

Balendra Shah’s historic elevation to prime minister underscores a broader trend of youthful leadership gaining prominence in South Asian politics, and his confirmation of maintaining strong regional partnerships is seen as a positive signal for India‑Nepal relations.