Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first official conversation with Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, on Thursday. During the exchange, Modi expressed heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of lives in Nepal and assured India’s continued support in restoring peace and stability across the Himalayan nation.
In a message shared on X, Modi described the discussion as warm and reaffirmed India’s commitment to assist Nepal during this turbulent phase. He extended greetings to Karki and the people of Nepal on the eve of their National Day, highlighting the deep historical and cultural connections between the two neighbors.
Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice, took charge of Nepal’s interim government on September 12, three days after KP Sharma Oli stepped down following unprecedented unrest. Karki made history as the first female Prime Minister of Nepal, an achievement that Modi hailed as a landmark in women’s empowerment. Speaking at a rally in Manipur earlier this week, Modi praised Karki’s appointment as a “remarkable example of women empowerment,” emphasizing India’s solidarity with Nepal in its path toward peace and democracy.
Congratulating her on behalf of India’s 1.4 billion people, Modi expressed confidence that Karki would lead the way toward stability and prosperity. Karki, however, clarified that her government is purely transitional, pledging not to remain in office for more than six months. She stated that her team intends to transfer power to the new Parliament following upcoming elections scheduled for March 5 next year.
Nepal’s President, Ramchandra Paudel, has appealed to all political parties to cooperate in ensuring free and fair elections. The leadership change follows a massive youth-led uprising that began against the Oli government’s decision to ban social media platforms. Although the ban was eventually rolled back, protests escalated over corruption allegations, resulting in violent clashes and widespread arson targeting government and political offices.
At least 19 people lost their lives during police action, prompting Oli’s resignation after demonstrators stormed his office. The turmoil has left Nepal facing one of its most challenging political transitions in decades. India’s support, as highlighted by Modi’s call, signals New Delhi’s intent to stand by its closest neighbor during this critical period.
