NEW DELHI, Sep 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Nepal’s interim PM Sushila Karki on assuming office, calling her appointment “a shining example of women empowerment”.
Addressing a rally in Manipur capital Imphal, Modi said India and Nepal have been close friends bound by shared history, faith and cultural ties, and New Delhi stood firmly with the people of the neighbouring country during its transitional phase.
“I want to congratulate Sushila Karki on behalf of 140 crore Indians. I am confident that she will pave the way for peace, stability, and prosperity in Nepal,” the PM said.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on Friday night became Nepal’s first woman prime minister to lead an interim government.
“Sushila ji’s appointment as Nepal’s first woman prime minister is a remarkable example of women empowerment,” Modi asserted.
Her appointment ended days of political uncertainty after the K P Sharma Oli dispensation was forced to quit in the face of a nationwide agitation triggered by a social media ban.
Karki was chosen to lead the interim government after a meeting between President Paudel, Nepal’s top military brass, and the youth protesters, who spearheaded the agitation.
Highlighting a notable aspect of recent developments in Nepal that has not received much attention, Modi stated that over the past two to three days, young men and women in Nepal have been seen diligently cleaning and painting the streets with a spirit of dedication.
He hailed every individual in Nepal who upheld democratic values even in times of instability.
“I also want to congratulate the people of Nepal who, despite such turbulent times, have kept democratic values supreme,” Modi said, drawing applause from the gathering.
Emphasising India’s solidarity, the PM said both nations were “moving forward together”, and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to support Nepal’s democratic journey and its aspiration for stability.
SSB NABS FOREIGN NATIONALS FROM INDO-NEPAL BORDER
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has apprehended two Nigerians and a Brazilian national who are suspected to have escaped from jails in Nepal during the recent anti-government protests, officials said on Saturday.
The force guarding the India-Nepal international border and the state police have caught more than 75 people from various locations along this 1,751-km-long unfenced front till now, they said.
They include two Nigerian nationals, a Brazilian, a Bangladesh citizen and some Indians. These people have been caught from the border over the last three-four days after they escaped from various jails following the massive anti-government protests in the neighbouring country, according to the officials.
Out of them, about 43 people have been caught from along the international border in Bihar, 22 from Uttar Pradesh, 8 from Uttarakhand and 2 from West Bengal, the officials said.
The Nigerian and Brazilian nationals have been apprehended from the Bihar area (Jainagar) on Friday while the Bangladeshi was nabbed from the same state a few days ago, they said.
The India-Nepal border spans across 20 districts in five states.
The SSB has issued three emergency helpline numbers to assist those Indians who are stranded in Nepal.
Helpline no 1903 is operational in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Uttarakhand apart from two other lines at: 0522-2728816 and 0522-298657.
Nepal’s next parliamentary elections will be held on March 5, President Ramchandra Paudel’s office announced on Saturday, following a week of violent protests that led to the resignation of K P Sharma Oli and Sushila Karki taking over as the country’s first woman prime minister.
Nepal police on Friday had said that at least 51 people, including an Indian woman, died in the Gen Z-led protests. (PTI)