Fri Dec 26 11:26:02 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the text provided:

Summary:

Retired Lieutenant General Balananda Sharma was appointed Nepal’s foreign affairs minister on December 26, 2025. He was sworn in by President Ramchandra Paudel at the President’s Office. This appointment marks the fifth Cabinet expansion under Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s interim government, which is preparing for general elections in March. Sharma’s experience includes a key role in integrating Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army and leading the Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC) during the pandemic.

News Article:

Nepal Appoints Lt. Gen. (Retd) Balananda Sharma as Foreign Minister

Kathmandu, Nepal – December 26, 2025 – In a move signaling continued preparation for upcoming general elections, Nepal has appointed retired Lieutenant General Balananda Sharma as its new Foreign Affairs Minister. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Mr. Sharma earlier today at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas.

This marks the fifth Cabinet expansion under the leadership of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who heads the interim government mandated to oversee the upcoming general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. With Mr. Sharma’s induction, the Council of Ministers now totals 15 members.

Prior to his appointment, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Sharma held a distinguished career in the Nepali Army, spanning nearly 39 years and including leadership roles at various levels. He also served in international peacekeeping missions for approximately four years. Most notably, he played a pivotal role in the integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army following the 2006 peace process, serving as coordinator of the technical committee on army integration.

During the recent global pandemic, Mr. Sharma also served as the chief of the Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC), leading the nation’s response to the health crisis.

The appointment of a seasoned figure like Lt. Gen. (Retd) Sharma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry comes at a crucial time as Nepal navigates its foreign policy objectives ahead of the upcoming elections.

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