Kathmandu, Sept. 14 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sushila Karki on being appointed the prime minister, twice on Saturday.

Addressing a mass meeting, Modi said that from the soil of Manipur, he also speaks to his friends in Nepal.

"Nepal, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is a friend of India-a close and trusted friend. We are connected by a shared history, by shared faith, and we are moving forward together," he told the gathering.

Karki was sworn in as head of the interim government on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning also, Modi congratulated the newly appointed prime minister of Nepal.

Issuing a statement earlier in the day, Modi said, "I extend my best wishes to Karki on assuming office as the prime mi...