India and Nepal must repair ties |
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.
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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........