KATHMANDU: Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Balendra Shah on Tuesday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a telephone conversation held a day earlier following Nepal’s recent House of Representatives elections.
Shah expressed his gratitude nearly 20 hours after the call, posting a message on social media on Tuesday evening acknowledging Modi’s congratulations.
“Thank you for your good wishes, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah wrote, expressing confidence that Nepal and India would work together to further strengthen their historic, close and multidimensional relations in the coming days.
Modi had confirmed on Monday that he held telephone conversations with RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Shah following the elections. Soon after the call, Lamichhane posted on social media stating that he had raised four key issues with the Indian prime minister during the discussion.
While Shah thanked Modi for the conversation, he did not disclose details of the topics discussed. Instead, he congratulated India for winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title for a second consecutive time.
“I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of India for winning the T20 World Cup title consecutively,” Shah said in his message.
Earlier on Monday, Lamichhane said the conversation with Modi focused on four priority areas for Nepal–India cooperation. Responding to Modi’s congratulatory message, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations based on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
Lamichhane said an RSP-led government would prioritize “development diplomacy” and expand cooperation with India in four key sectors: connectivity, cultural tourism, energy, and trade. According to him, enhanced partnership in these areas would contribute to a prosperous future for the people of both countries.
During the call, Modi congratulated both leaders on their electoral success and on the party’s significant performance in the March 5 elections. He also extended his best wishes for the formation of the new government.
The Indian prime minister said India remains committed to working with Nepal to promote mutual prosperity, progress, and the welfare of the people of both nations, expressing confidence that joint efforts would elevate Nepal–India relations to new heights in the years ahead.
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