PM Modi assures support in phone call with Nepal PM Sushila Karki

New Delhi: India is ready to support Nepal in its efforts to restore peace and stability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his counterpart in Kathmandu, Sushila Karki, during a phone call on Thursday.

Karki told Modi that holding elections in Nepal in March 2026 would remain the top priority of the interim government headed by her. Modi assured her of India’s full support and cooperation as per the priorities of Nepal.

Modi was the first foreign leader to have a phone call with Karki after the 73-year-old former chief justice of Nepal took over as the interim prime minister of the northern neighbour of India on September 12.

She succeeded K P Sharma Oli, who resigned in the wake of a mass protest against the brutal crackdown on the youths and students agitating against corruption and the ban on online social media platforms.

Three days after Karki was sworn in as the interim prime minister, Naveen Srivastava, New Delhi’s envoy to Kathmandu, was the first foreign diplomat to call on her.

“Had a warm conversation with Mrs Sushila Karki, Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal. Conveyed heartfelt condolences on the recent tragic loss of lives and reaffirmed India’s steadfast support for her efforts to restore peace and stability,” Modi posted on X after speaking to Karki, an alumnus of Banaras Hindu University of India.

“Also, I extended warm greetings to her and the people of Nepal on their National Day tomorrow.”

The prime minister extended heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of lives during the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal.

Over 70 people died during the violent protests in Nepal earlier this month.

Modi conveyed to Karki India’s readiness to continue working closely with Nepal to further strengthen the special ties between the two countries, India’s full support to Nepal in its efforts towards restoring peace and stability, and for the progress of its people, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

Karki told Modi that responding to the call of the recent Gen-Z movement, holding elections would remain the topmost priority of her government, “with strong determination for accountable, responsive and corruption-free governance, reflecting the aspiration of the youth”.

Modi assured her of New Delhi’s full support and cooperation as per the priorities of Nepal, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the neighbouring country’s government in Kathmandu.

“India’s support to efforts to establish peace and stability in Nepal is vital, and I commend your efforts,” Karki wrote on X, reposting Modi’s post. “Nepal-India friendship will become stronger in the coming days.

The envoys of Beijing and Washington, DC, to Kathmandu, Chen Song and Deal R Thompson, respectively, met the new interim prime minister of Nepal on Thursday.