India committed to peace and prosperity: PM Modi wishes Sushila Karki on becoming Nepal’s interim PM

Nepal Gets Its First Woman Prime Minister: Sushila Karki Takes Charge Amid Political Turmoil

In a historic moment for Nepal, Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old trailblazer, was sworn in as the country’s first-ever female Prime Minister late Friday evening. This comes after days of intense protests and political upheaval in the Himalayan nation, marking a big step toward stability.

Karki, who also made history as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, took the oath from President Ram Chandra Poudel. The president spent the day talking to Gen-Z protest leaders, constitutional experts, and even the Army chief to smooth the transition. Her appointment follows the collapse of the previous government led by K.P. Sharma Oli, which fell amid violent street protests by young activists fed up with his rule.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate Karki on X (formerly Twitter). "I extend my best wishes to Right Hon. Mrs. Sushila Karki on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal," Modi posted. "India remains firmly committed to the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Nepal." It’s a strong show of support from India, Nepal’s close neighbor.

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the new interim government. In a statement, the MEA said, "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." They added that as a fellow democracy and long-time partner, India will keep working closely with Nepal for the well-being of both countries.

But Karki’s rise to the top isn’t without controversy. Nepal’s Constitution, under Article 76, says only members of the House of Representatives—the lower house of parliament—can become Prime Minister. Even upper house members don’t qualify. Plus, Article 132(2) bars former Chief Justices or Supreme Court judges from government roles, unless the Constitution says otherwise.

So how did this happen? Activists picked Karki during the Gen-Z protests, and after long talks, everyone agreed on her name. The House of Representatives was dissolved amid the chaos, and she’s been appointed under the "principle of necessity"—a legal workaround for tough times. Other non-political names were suggested, but Karki won out.

This interim setup aims to calm the streets and guide Nepal through its latest political storm. With India’s backing and fresh leadership, many hope it paves the way for lasting peace in the region. Stay tuned as Nepal navigates this key chapter.

Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.