Oli Takes Oath As Nepal PM For Fourth Time As Deuba's Nepali Congress Supports Him, Modi Congratulates

Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli took oath as the Prime Minister of Nepal for the fourth time on Monday (15 July) as Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' stepped down after losing the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.

Oli is the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), the second-largest party in the country’s Parliament with 78 members of Parliament (MPs).

He sealed a deal with Nepali Congress (NC) chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba on 2 July to form the next government. The NC is the largest party in Parliament with 89 MPs.

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Oli on his appointment as the PM of Nepal and said that he looks forward to working closely to further strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between the two countries.

Modi emphasised expanding mutually beneficial cooperation for the progress and prosperity of people of both the neighbouring countries as Oli is likely to adopt a pro-India stance.

Oli was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Paudel at Shital Niwas, the main building of the Himalayan country's presidential palace. He will now have to pass the floor test within 30 days.

Oli had earlier conveyed to New Delhi that India’s concerns would be honoured, and he would not allow China to increase its footprint in Nepal, unlike his previous term.

He also assured New Delhi that cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties with India would be strengthened and Indian interests and investments in Nepal would not only be protected but also prioritised.