KP Sharma Oli replaces Sushil Koirala as new Prime Minister of Nepal

For a man who has been taking strongly anti-India posture, mainly following India’s curt response — ‘that it has taken note of a Constitution’ having been promulgated in Nepal — and subsequent obstruction of the border leading to scarcity of essential commodities and petroleum products, a call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came as a ‘welcome move’. Modi called to congratulate Oli, and according to sources privy to the conversation, he was also invited to pay a visit to India at the ‘earliest’ to sort out the current standoff. Chinese Ambassador Wu Chuntai was present in the UML party office to congratulate Oli when Modi called from Mumbai.

“Spoke to Shri KP Oli. Congratulated him & invited him to visit India. We value ties with Nepal & want to strengthen them even further,” Modi tweeted later. The telephonic conversation comes at a time when there is an unease in the relationship between two countries, since Nepal adopted a new Constitution.

Oli said earlier in parliament that he would improve the relations with India, and address the issues raised by Madhes-centric parties to the extent it was possible. Oli contested the election amid accusation from his allies that India was out in the open to ‘defeat’ Oli. Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, without mentioning India, said in parliament that the ‘same external force’ that had tried to create problems earlier in Nepal, were making every effort to divide ‘us and have their choice imposed.’

(With inputs from ENS Delhi)