India wants new Nepal PM Oli to be inclusive

The election of Nepal’s veteran communist leader K.P. Sharma Oli as the first Prime Minister under the newly introduced constitution has led to mixed reactions in Nepal. Congratulating Mr Oli on the victory, India has expressed hope that he would take along all sections of Nepal and ensure peace and stability in the country.

Emerging victorious, Mr Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) secured 338 votes out of a total of 598 defeating the incumbent PM Sushil Koirala of the Nepali Congress.

Speaking to Mr Oli, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I look forward to closely working with Mr Oli.” “We have always stood for peace, prosperity and progress in Nepal, which is also in India’s interest. India will continue to extend all assistance, in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Nepal, for peace, stability and socio-economic development of the country,” Mr Modi said.

Mr Oli’s emissaries had been trying to convince India that once he is elected he would address New Delhi’s concerns about the issue of the ongoing blockade. Regions of Nepal bordering India have blocked entry of India’s trucks into the country which has impacted trade. Many sections of the people in Nepal also believe India is fuelling the crisis in Nepal and is interfering in its domestic affairs.

The Madhesi community which is leading protests in the Terai region of Nepal believe that Mr Oli is against the interests of Terai region and have criticised his election as a hasty decision. India has conveyed to Mr. Oli that it wished to see progress in talks between the Madhesi parties and the government of Nepal and constitutional amendments that address Madhesi grievances.

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