PM Modi speaks to Prachanda, assures India's full support

Prachanda was elected by lawmakers as Nepal's PM for a second time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Nepal's newly-elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to congratulate him and assured India's full support.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi also invited him to India.

"Spoke to Nepal's PM-elect Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' ji & congratulated him. Assured him of our full support & invited him to India," Modi tweeted.

Prachanda was elected by lawmakers as Nepal's Prime Minister for a second time and his elevation is expected to bring much-needed political stability in the country bogged down by deep divisions over the new Constitution.

India also has its reasons to be relieved given that it has had an anxious relationship with the Himalayan nation, under Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, after the promulgation of a new constitution last September.

Though known to have an anti-India stance, according to observers, Prachanda seems to have softened his position and his elevation may be good for Indo-Nepal ties which experienced turbulence under Oli.

His party also signed a three-point agreement withthe Madhesi Front to secure support from the Madhesi parties for their bid to form a new government led by him.