Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the youth of Nepal for their role in rebuilding the country after days of violent protests. Speaking in Manipur, he said young Nepalis have been cleaning and repainting damaged streets, a gesture he described as a sign of the nation’s resilience. Modi noted that he had personally seen images of their efforts on social media, ANI reported.

From the historic Kangla Fort in Manipur, Modi also congratulated Sushila Karki on becoming Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, hailing her as the country’s first woman to hold the post. He called her appointment a milestone in women’s empowerment and expressed confidence that she would steer Nepal towards peace, stability, and prosperity.

“Nepal, in the lap of the Himalayas, is our close friend. On behalf of 1.4bn Indians, I extend my best wishes to Prime Minister Sushila Karki,” Modi said, underlining the cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations, according to ANI.

Earlier in the day, Modi also sent a message on social media reaffirming India’s commitment to Nepal’s peace and progress. The Indian government welcomed the formation of the interim government, pledging to work closely with Kathmandu for the well-being of both peoples.

Karki took charge on Friday after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, which collapsed under the weight of Gen-Z–led protests against corruption and restrictions on social media. Backed by the youth movement, she now faces the task of restoring order and leading Nepal toward general elections scheduled for March 2026.