Nepal PM Balen accepts Modi invite, unveils anti-VIP reform push at home

NEW DELHI: Nepal PM Balendra “Balen” Shah accepted PM Narendra Modi’s invitation to visit India even as he unveiled a sweeping and radical 100-point governance agenda at home targeting VIP culture, political influence in campuses and bureaucracy, delays in public service, free healthcare access for the poor, safer public transport for women and stress-free schooling for younger children.

Foreign minister Shishir Khanal said, “The Nepal govt has accepted the invitation, and the foreign ministries of both countries are now making preparations for the visit.” He indicated that the trip to New Delhi will be Shah’s first major diplomatic outreach since taking office. The last official visit by a Nepali PM to India was made by Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” in June 2023.Meanwhile, introducing a raft of changes, the new govt in Kathmandu has proposed cutting the number of federal ministries, banning political affiliations for sections of the state machinery and replacing party-linked student bodies with non-partisan platforms.The reform plan takes direct aim at political influence in education and the civil service. Under the new mandate, party-affiliated student organisations in schools and universities are to be dismantled within 90 days and replaced with non-partisan student councils or “Voice of Students” platforms. Announcing the move, Shah said, “Schools and colleges will no longer serve as arenas for political activity but will function solely as centres of learning.

”Shah has asked for removal of photographs of political leaders from govt offices and a ban on govt advertisements in private media outlets. And in announcements that were received with applause, Shah said ministers and govt employees must send their children to govt schools, rename universities carrying foreign or colonial names, and offer jobs to families of students killed during the 2025 protests.A key part of the new package targets preferential treatment in public life, including roadblocks and privilege around VIP convoys, while also seeking tighter accountability across institutions.

The agenda also includes a “Zero Pending File” campaign to cut bureaucratic delays and a proposal to reduce the number of federal ministries to 17.Gen Z activists who were at the forefront of the Sept 2025 protests are now watching whether the new govt delivers on its promises. Majid Ansari, 25, a final-year law student, said, “Laws should be made delivery-oriented and state authorities should be restructured from the ordinary people’s point of view. Overall reform is about easing governance and making public services accessible.”