Kathmandu: Newly-appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma has taken oath of office and secrecy before President Ramchandra Paudel at a special ceremony organized at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas, today.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki appointed him the Minister for Foreign Affairs today only. With the expansion of the cabinet, the Karki-led government has become a 15-member cabinet.

Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Karki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut along with senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, chiefs of security bodies, as well as heads and senior officials of constitutional bodies were present at the oath-taking ceremony.

A retired Lieutenant General of the Nepali Army, Sharma had also served as the Coordinator of the then Army Integration Special Committee.
Sharma had also served as the Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. He is currently the Chairperson of the National Defence University.