Nepal has recently witnessed a violent uprising that resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The situation escalated following a series of anti-government protests sparked by a ban on social media, leading to the deaths of over 20 individuals amid clashes with police. In response, the government imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military to restore order as demonstrators stormed parliament and set fire to the residences of several politicians.
Oli’s resignation marks the third governmental upheaval in Nepal’s immediate region, a trend that mirrors recent political turmoil in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The relationship between Nepal and India is particularly significant, influenced by shared historical, economic, and strategic ties. Nepal shares a border of over 1,750 kilometers with five Indian states and has a substantial population of Nepalis residing in India, estimated at 3.5 million or potentially more.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern over the violence and emphasized the importance of stability and peace in Nepal. Following the unrest, he held an emergency security meeting to discuss the developments, which are closely monitored by India due to Nepal’s strategic location near China. Analysts note that the dynamics of this relationship may be complicated further by the recent upheaval and other geopolitical factors.
The crisis in Nepal raises questions about the next steps in governance and the potential for a political administration that can address protester grievances. With allegations of external influence from both India and China in Nepal’s internal affairs, maintaining diplomatic relations while ensuring stability will prove to be a complex challenge for India in this context.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xrqld50dko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss