New Delhi: As former chief justice Sushila Karki took oath as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday night, India welcomed the formation of a new interim government under her leadership and said the step would help in fostering peace in the country. Karki on Friday became Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister to lead an interim government.
‘Will help in fostering peace’
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that India will continues to work with Nepal for the well-being of the two countries. “We welcome the formation of a new Interim Government in Nepal, led by Right Honourable Mrs Sushila Karki. We are hopeful that this would help in fostering peace and stability.”
“As a close neighbour, a fellow democracy and a long-term development partner, India will continue to work closely with Nepal for the well-being and prosperity of our two peoples and countries,” read the statement.
Sushila Karki, first woman (interim) PM of Nepal
Karki took oath as the interim Prime Minister last evening, three days after the Himalayan nation plunged into a political crisis after KP Sharma Oli was forced to step down as PM in the face of a widespread protest triggered by a social media ban.
President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Karki. The 73-year-old known for her integrity and plain-speaking, has completed her masters in political science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in India in 1975.
Nepal unrest
Oli resigned from the prime minister’s post on September 9 following the worst unrest that the Himalayan nation has witnessed in decades. The violent protest led by Gen Z began on September 8 over the ban on social media sites including Facebook and WhatsApp. Following backlash, the Oli government lifted the ban but the protest continued for the second day with the agitators demanding a check on corruption, political disorder, and nepotism.
In his resignation letter, Oli said that he was resigning due to the “extraordinary circumstances” and that his exit would pave the way for a “constitutional and political” resolution of the current situation. The new interim government, led by Kurki, is mandated to hold fresh parliamentary elections within six months.