The congratulations keep coming for RSP, and Balen Shah is responding to every one of them.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay posted on X on March 10, congratulating Balen Shah and RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane on their landslide election victory on March 5. He praised Nepal’s successful polls and expressed hope to deepen the friendship between the two neighbouring countries.
Balen replied warmly, saying he is looking forward to a beautiful and stronger relationship with Bhutan, tagging the Bhutanese PM directly and pairing his message with Nepal and Bhutan flag emojis.
The exchange was brief, but it landed well. Nepal and Bhutan share deep historical and cultural ties rooted in Hindu-Buddhist heritage, with no visa requirements between the two countries. Both nations emphasize sustainable development, with Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy and Nepal’s growing focus on clean energy and eco-tourism creating natural ground for deeper collaboration in hydropower and environment.
What stands out about Balen’s post-election diplomacy is the consistency. Since RSP’s victory, he has replied publicly to congratulations from India’s Modi, Bangladesh, and now Bhutan, each time keeping the tone gracious and forward-looking. For a projected Prime Minister who built his name as Kathmandu’s reform mayor and before that as a rapper, the pivot to regional statecraft has been smooth.
The Nepal-Bhutan exchange circulated fast on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, with most reactions framing it as a positive sign for small-nation diplomacy in South Asia. Bhutan’s message was among the warmest regional responses RSP has received since the election results came in.
This exchange signals RSP’s focus on positive regional diplomacy as Nepal transitions into its new political chapter post-election.
Also Read: Modi Calls Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane, Says India-Nepal Ties Will “Scale New Heights”
