Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: Congratulations are pouring in for Balendra Shah, who was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday.
Leaders from neighboring countries, the SAARC region, and international partners have extended their best wishes and expressed optimism for strengthened bilateral ties.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang extended congratulations to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, describing China and Nepal as traditional neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. In his message, shared by the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu, Li highlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 71 years ago, the two countries have been developing bilateral ties based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Chinese Premier also expressed his desire to work closely with Prime Minister Shah to further advance high-level cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen collaboration across various sectors.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shah on his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal. “Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples,” Modi wrote in a post on X.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also extended congratulations and wished success to the new Prime Minister in advancing peace, stability, and shared prosperity. “I look forward to strengthening Bhutan–Nepal friendship,” Tobgay wrote in a post on X.
Similarly, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended congratulations to Shah on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Nepal after a landslide victory of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. “Pakistan deeply values its longstanding and friendly relations with Nepal and looks forward to working closely with Your Excellency to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance our shared goals of regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” Shehbar wrote in a post on X.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sent a congratulatory message to Shah on assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal. In her letter, she said she looks forward to working with Prime Minister Shah to enhance the bilateral relations between Japan and Nepal.
The United States Embassy in Nepal also welcomed the new leadership, expressing its readiness to collaborate with the government in promoting mutual prosperity and regional stability.
Similarly, the British Embassy in Kathmandu congratulated Shah on his inauguration, stating that the UK’s friendship with Nepal is transforming into a modern partnership, focused on the needs of the hour: economic growth, youth employment, and climate resilience. “As the new government sets its priorities, we look forward to collaborating in these and other fields,” the embassy wrote on its social media page.
The Embassy of Switzerland also conveyed its best wishes for Shah’s tenure, expressing hope for continued progress in peace, development, and prosperity, while also highlighting plans to deepen cooperation between the two nations.
Likewise, the Norwegian embassy in Kathmandu congratulated Shah and said Norway was eager to promote inclusive development, international law, democracy, and human rights.
The Embassy of Finland in Kathmandu congratulated Shah on his inauguration and said Finland values its longstanding and friendly relations with Nepal, grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a commitment to sustainable development. “We look forward to further strengthening the partnership between Finland and Nepal,” the embassy wrote on its social media page.
The European Union has also congratulated the new government led by Shah. “We look forward to developing further our longstanding relations with Nepal and its people, and to support the government in implementing its development priorities,” Anouar Al Enouni, the EU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, wrote in a post on X on Friday evening.
