Nepal’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has received a wave of congratulatory messages from world leaders following his appointment on March 27, 2026. Shah, a former Kathmandu mayor and rapper-turned-politician, leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to a landmark electoral victory, marking a generational shift in Nepal’s political landscape.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to extend warm wishes, posting messages in Nepali, Hindi, and English across social media platforms.
“Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the 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.”
The Indian Prime Minister’s office confirmed that Modi’s outreach underscores New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening the “roti-beti ka rishta” (kinship ties) that has long defined bilateral relations between the Himalayan neighbours.
Similarly, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal announced that Premier Li Qiang conveyed congratulations to Prime Minister Shah, emphasizing the traditional friendship between the two nations. Nepal and China are traditional neighbours linked by mountains and rivers. As we mark the 71st year of diplomatic relations, China stands ready to work with Nepal’s new government to advance the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthen high-level cooperation.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also sent a separate message to his Nepali counterpart, Foreign Minister Sisir Khanal, reaffirming commitment to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence that have guided bilateral ties since 1955.
With 2026 marking the 70th anniversary of Japan-Nepal diplomatic relations, Japanese leadership seized the moment to reaffirm partnership. While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida conveyed congratulations through diplomatic channels, Ambassador Maeda Toru personally delivered the message at Shital Niwas in Kathmandu. Japan looks forward to deepening cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure development, disaster resilience, and human resource capacity building as we celebrate seven decades of friendship.”
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu released an official statement on behalf of the State Department’s South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau, “Congratulations to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and the new government of Nepal. The United States looks forward to working with Nepal to promote mutual prosperity, democratic resilience, and regional stability.” U.S. officials highlighted continued support for Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country status and cooperation in climate adaptation and clean energy initiatives.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifand President Asif Ali Zardari both extended messages via social media. Sharif stated: “Pakistan values its long-standing relations with Nepal and looks forward to deepening cooperation in all areas for regional peace and prosperity.”
Similarly Bhutani Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay sent personal congratulations, wishing success in “promoting peace, stability and shared prosperity” across the Himalayan region.
The Embassy of Finland in Nepal expressed interest in expanding development partnerships, particularly in sustainable tourism and governance reform.
Political analysts note that the breadth and warmth of international congratulations reflect global confidence in Prime Minister Shah’s mandate.
