Nepal's 100-Day Governance Reforms: Assessing Balen Shah's Performance and Implications for India-Nepal Relations

Indian Express - Explained · 10 Jul 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · International relations Mains · GS2 International relations High relevance

Nepal's Balen Shah government claims 70% completion of its 100-day reform agenda, though independent assessments dispute this, highlighting governance challenges and potential impacts on India-Nepal relations.

Key points

Balen Shah government claims 70 of 100 commitments fulfilled in its 100-day reform agenda, including governance reforms, foreign affairs initiatives, and infrastructure projects.

Independent assessments by The Kathmandu Post and Digital Pratikpashya dispute these claims, reporting only 38 and 17 commitments completed respectively.

Governance reforms include establishing a Property Investigation Commission, National Ethics Policy, and opening 1,500 constitutional posts to competitive recruitment.

Foreign affairs achievements cited include the MoFA Mitra app for consular services, rescuing 819 Nepalis from Southeast Asian scams, and securing amnesty for 161 prisoners in UAE/Saudi Arabia.

Discrepancies in assessment stem from differing criteria - e.g. Blue Bus Safety Service counted as delivered by government despite only 8 of 25 promised buses being operational.

[GS2-International Relations] The reforms impact India-Nepal relations through cross-border issues like dual citizenship cases and energy cooperation (138 MW added to Nepal's grid).

Controversial decisions include arrests of former PM KP Sharma Oli and others for 2025 protest deaths, and criticized riverbank evictions without adequate relocation plans.

Institutional concerns arise from ministerial adviser appointments and breaking judicial seniority traditions in Chief Justice selection.

[GS3-Economy] The electricity generation additions and business process reforms have direct implications for Nepal's economic stability and regional energy trade potential.

Way Forward: Nepal should establish independent verification mechanisms for reform progress, formalize bilateral energy cooperation frameworks with India, and develop comprehensive relocation policies before urban eviction drives.

Key terms

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)

Nepal's centrist political party founded in 2022, led by Balen Shah, advocating anti-corruption reforms and technocratic governance. Its rapid rise reflects public disillusionment with traditional parties, with implications for Nepal's democratic stability and foreign policy orientation.

Singha Durbar

The central administrative complex in Kathmandu housing Nepal's Prime Minister's Office and key ministries. Its symbolic importance stems from being the seat of governance since Rana dynasty rule, representing both continuity and democratic transformation in Nepal's polity.

MoFA Mitra app

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs digital platform for consular services, exemplifying South Asian governments' efforts to leverage technology for diaspora engagement. Its success could influence similar Indian initiatives for overseas citizen services.

Property Investigation Commission

Nepal's newly established anti-corruption body to investigate illicit wealth accumulation. Modeled partly on India's Enforcement Directorate, its effectiveness will test Nepal's institutional capacity to combat graft - a key issue in GS2 governance topics.