Balen Shah named among time’s 100 most influential people of 2026

Dhangadhi: Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has been included in the annual “100 most influential people in the world” list published by the prestigious American magazine Time. The magazine released the 2026 list on Wednesday, featuring personalities from various fields categorized as artists, veterans, innovators, icons, leaders and mentors. Balen has been placed in the “Leader” category.

Balen’s name appears alongside 24 political figures, including Donald Trump and Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. According to the magazine’s editor-in-chief Sam Jacob, those included in the list are shaping the direction of the world.

As clarified by Time, the selection is not based solely on success or popularity, but on global impact, the ability to influence thinking and long-term contributions to society. The 2026 edition has placed particular emphasis on individuals introducing new ideas, technologies and effective leadership in a rapidly changing world.

This year’s list features heads of state, social activists, entrepreneurs, artists and scientists from across the globe, highlighting contributions in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, the digital economy and global politics. Notably, Balen was previously included in the Time 100 Next list in 2023.