Recent youth protests in Nepal, set off by a ban on social media and discontent with corruption and economic inequality brought drastic changes in Nepal’s political landscape. The Gen Z movements led to the resignation of the KP Sharma Oli government and the dissolution of parliament. The two-day Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 resulted in 76 deaths, many injuries, and thousands of prisoners escaping. Many politicians’ homes were vandalised, and government buildings and parliament were torched.
The events in Nepal definitely affect India as Nepal is not just a neighbor, it is family, tied by history, culture, and an open border.But after this Gen Z uprising, the situation feels different, as if the ground has shifted under our shared foundation. The office of Nepal’s president announced that the country would hold elections on March 5 following a week of deadly violence as an interim government headed by the country’s first female prime minister took charge. As India aspires to be a superpower, a stable neighbour is essential for its global aspirations. Such instability distracts India from its aspirations to be a superpower. So, India should be worried about the situation in Nepal as there is still uncertainty in the country. Ignoring its neighbour and failing to show leadership only emboldens China.
India and Nepal need to rethink their relationship in this new era. The recent Gen Z movements exposed cracks in ties between the two neighbours that have been widening for years. The two nations share strong economic, social, cultural, and political ties. Traditional bonds like cross-border marriages, Nepali students in Indian colleges,and Gorkha soldiers in the Indian army once kept both nations close. Now, with a new wave of leaders in Nepal, those old connections are fading fast. Deepening cooperation, especially nurturing economic ties between two nations, can make partnership sustainable. India can support Nepal in various sectors like tourism, trade, energy, construction, and infrastructure. The relations between Nepal and India have soured in the past decades.Anti-India sentiments surged when India imposed an economic blockade on Nepal in 2015 just a month after a powerful earthquake shook the country.
The blockade caused severe fuel shortages and pushed up the price of food. India has always denied imposing a blockade but Nepal accused India of imposing the blockade as punishment for refusing to amend its newly promulgated constitution. Nepal and India share a border of around 1,850 kilometres. Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand of India border Nepal. The two neighbours have several territorial disputes. During the tenure of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Nepal had unveiled a new political map, showing Lipulek, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas as Nepal’s territory in May 2020. Later, it was endorsed by Parliament. India reacted sharply to Nepal’s move at the time, calling the revised map a unilateral act and termed it as artificial enlargement.
Nepal had protested when India inaugurated the 80-kilometre Lipulekh road to reach Kailash Mansarovar in 2020, saying it was built on disputed territory which falls at a strategic three-way junction with Tibet and China. Nepal raised objections to the inauguration of the road by India. Nepal also objected when China and India agreed to reopen trade through Lipulekh. The understanding was reached during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi. These anti-India sentiments are pushing Nepal towards China. Both nations should pivot to economic cooperation that plays to both countries’ strengths. Hydropower is a prime example. Nepal has huge potential. The 2024 power trade deal lets India import up to 10,000 MW over a decade, boosting Nepal’s economy while meeting India’s energy needs. Expanding transmission lines and joint ventures could create jobs and stability on both sides. India and Nepal should be open to constructive interactions on outstanding boundary issues through diplomacy and dialogues.
Both neighbours should be on board based on historical facts. Imagine backchannel talks, where envoys from both sides revisit historical documents with fresh eyes, perhaps involving neutral historians to clarify the Kali River’s course. The Nepal government should intensify diplomatic efforts with India and China to solve this issue. A joint boundary commission could be revived with genuine intent, treating Nepal as an equal partner. New Delhi should invest in people-to-people diplomacy that can build goodwill. New Delhi can play a vital role in assisting Nepal in conducting upcoming elections after the Gen Z protests that shook Nepal.
India sends the most visitors to Nepal. Better connectivity can draw more. Joint marketing campaigns and skill-sharing in hospitality would help Nepali youth find opportunities. The existing barriers on trade should be eased. Streamline customs, cut red tape on certifications,and update transit treaties to let Nepali rail freight move smoothly. Encouraging Nepali organic farming exports to India could balance the scales and support rural economies. Collaborating on startups would appeal to Gen Z, fostering innovation. Some in Nepal worry about over-dependence on India, fearing it could fuel nationalist backlash or play into China’s hands, given Beijing’s investments in infrastructure. And in India, hardliners might push for a tougher stance and heavy-handed diplomacy. Still, the risks of inaction are bigger. We cannot let eroding ties turn into resentment. Leaders in Delhi and Kathmandu should start with honest and constructive dialogues to resolve misunderstanding, border issues, and commit to economic pacts. Deepening this cooperation is the best way to a partnership that lasts, one where both nations thrive together.
(The writer is a freelance contributor and author.)