Kathmandu, July 30 -- Four months after taking office, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has maintained almost complete distance from Sheetal Niwas, leaving his relationship with President Ramchandra Paudel virtually non-existent except mandatory official ceremonies.

Apart from swearing-in events and state functions, Shah has avoided direct meetings with the President. Major decisions-such as Cabinet reshuffles, the summoning and prorogation of parliament, and issuance of ordinances-have all moved forward without the traditional one-on-one briefings expected between the head of government and the head of state.

At Sheetal Niwas, the official residence of the President, officials view this behaviour as a clear noncompliance of established dem...