Kathmandu:  Newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr. Nawaraj Khadka has taken oath of office and secrecy. President Vidyadevi Bhandari administered the oath of office to Khadka at a ceremony held at Shital Niwas.

On the recommendation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, President Bhandari today appointed Khadka as a minister. President Bhandari has assigned Khadka to take charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Khadka has taken charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately after taking oath. Minister Khadka is scheduled to travel to New York tonight to attend the UN General Assembly.
Deuba has been appointed foreign minister on the 71st day of his appointment as prime minister.

Deuba and the ruling coalition have been widely criticized for failing to expand the cabinet.
A meeting of the ruling coalition on Tuesday evening agreed to appoint Khadka as foreign minister. With Khadka’s appointment, the Deuba Council of Ministers has six members.