Page 3 - India Nepal Ties

Nepal unrest: Bus carrying Indians 'attacked' near Kathmandu; many injured

An Indian tourist bus returning from the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu was allegedly attacked by protesters amid the ongoing unrest in Nepal, leaving several passengers injured, the bus driver has claimed. The alleged incident took place on September 9 near Sonauli on the India-Nepal border, when the agitators targeted the bus carrying 49 Indians. Stones were reportedly pelted, shattering windows and injuring passengers, including women and the aged, the driver claimed. According to reports, the local authorities admitted the injured to a hospital in Kathmandu, while the remaining passengers were flown back to India on a special plane arranged by the Indian Embassy with the help of the Nepalese government. Talking to reporters in Sonauli here, bus driver Ramu Nishad said: "We were returning after having darshan (at the Pashupatinath temple), when suddenly a mob surrounded our bus and attacked without reason. There were women and elderly people among the passengers, but the ...

Who is Sushila Karki, the choice of GenZs set to lead Nepal's interim govt?

Known for her anti-corruption stance, Sushila Karki is set to head the interim government after KP Sharma Oli's resignation amid nationwide protests in Nepal

Mamata condemns Nepal violence, mourns Ex-PM's wife, urges restraint

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed deep concern over turmoil in neighbouring Nepal, and strongly condemned the killing of a former prime minister's wife, who was allegedly burnt alive. Banerjee said West Bengal has always stood for humanity and compassion and urged people not to allow violence and political opportunism to destroy lives. "Let our neighbouring country remain well. West Bengal gives birth to humanity and compassion. Burning a living person and celebrating it is not humanity. "People may have grievances against one another, but it should not result in cruelty and atrocities," Banerjee told reporters at Uttarkanya, the branch state secretariat in north Bengal. Nepal was rocked by a severe political crisis on Tuesday after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive protests for a second day. Demonstrators stormed several government buildings and set Parliament and residences of high-profile leaders ablaze, a day after 19

Nepal airport resumes ops, Centre steps up to evacuate stranded Indians

Several states in India launched special cells to assist their residents stranded in the violence-hit country

Ex-envoys urge Centre to stay alert as turmoil grips India's neighbourhood

As Nepal plunged into chaos in the face of massive anti-government protests, various former Indian ambassadors said New Delhi must watch this unfolding situation "very closely," with some underlining that India's neighbourhood is "indeed in turmoil" which is not a healthy sign. They cited instances of public protests, largely led by youth, that had led to political upheavals and the toppling of governments in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years. The Himalayan nation reeled under a grave political crisis with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigning on Tuesday amid large-scale demonstrations in Kathmandu, and protesters setting on fire the Nepalese leader's private house in Balkot and attacking the residences of various former ministers. Violent protests by youths against a government ban on social media sites rocked Nepal on Monday, with police's use of force leaving at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured. Veteran diplomat Venu Rajamony said what is happening in Ne

India keeps close watch on Nepal crisis: Curfew, unrest and key updates

Late on Tuesday, the Nepal Army announced the deployment of army personnel and other security forces to maintain order following the Prime Minister's resignation

MEA urges Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Nepal amid unrest

The ministry shared emergency contact numbers for assistance, stating that the Embassy of India in Kathmandu can be reached at +977-980 860 2881 and +977-981 032 6134, both also available on WhatsApp

Nepal unrest leaves UP border markets deserted, locals anxious over safety

As unrest continues in Nepal, Uttar Pradesh's border districts saw empty markets, with residents grappling with cancelled travel plans and severed family contacts across the frontier and many expressing concern over the disruption of their daily lives. In Bahraich's Rupaidiha town, which usually bustles with Nepali shoppers, markets have fallen silent. "Normally, our markets thrive because Nepali buyers come here for daily needs. But now, the markets are silent. Families on both sides are interlinked by marriages, so the unrest has left people here worried," said Dr Uma Shankar Vaishya, chairman of the local nagar panchayat. Locals said the temporary social media ban in Nepal had even cut off communication with relatives across the border. The restoration of WhatsApp and Facebook brought some relief, but anxiety persists. "People are very angry after the deaths during protests in Kathmandu. Schools are closed, markets shut, and demonstrations are intense in Nepalgunj too. The ...

Nepal crisis: Delhi-Kathmandu skies closed, travel cancellations trickle in

Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines, and SpiceJet suspend flights; MEA advises Indian citizens in Nepal to stay indoors

Nepal crisis: AP govt reaches out to Indian embassy as citizens stranded

Scores of Indians, including former Information Commissioner Madabhushi Sridharacharyulu, were stranded in Nepal amid curfew, hotel attacks and flight cancellations

From Nepal to Dhaka: A growing list of India's neighbours shaken by protest

From Nepal's social media ban riots to Bangladesh's student uprising and Sri Lanka's economic collapse, India's neighbours face repeated upheavals with regional fallout

India expresses grief over deaths, says monitoring developments in Nepal

India on Tuesday said it is deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives during protests in Nepal and hoped that the issues will be resolved through peaceful means. Violent protests by youths in Kathmandu and a few other places against a government ban on social media sites on Monday left at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured. "We are closely monitoring the developments in Nepal since yesterday and are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with families of deceased. We also wish speedy recovery for those who were injured," it said. "As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue," the MEA said in a statement. It also asked Indian nationals to exercise caution in view of the prevailing situation in that country. "We have also taken note that authorities have imposed curfew in Kathmand

FS Vikram Misri concludes two-day visit to Nepal, meets top leaders

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday wrapped up his two-day visit to Nepal during which he met the country's top leadership and discussed progress in different areas of bilateral cooperation. Misri, who arrived here at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai, called on President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba during his visit. "He conveyed to them greetings from the leadership in India and briefed them on the progress being made in various aspects of the mutually-beneficial bilateral cooperation between the two countries," the Indian Embassy said in a press release on Monday. Misri also handed over a formal invitation to Prime Minister Oli from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India on mutually convenient dates, it said. He also held wide-ranging discussions with Rai on Sunday and reviewed the progress made in various bilateral initiatives and discussed opportunities for further collaboration, ...

Vikram Misri holds talks with Nepal's top leadership on boosting ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday called on Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and President Ramchandra Paudel and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors. Misri arrived here earlier in the day for a two-day visit to the Himalayan nation on the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai. During his meeting with Oli, which took place at the Prime Minister's Office at Singhdurbar, matters of mutual interest were discussed to further deepen bilateral relations. Misri reaffirmed the deep civilizational ties and strong IndiaNepal partnership, and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation across various sectors, the Indian embassy here said in an X post. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava was also present at the meeting. The foreign secretary separately called on President Paudel and conveyed greetings of the Indian leadership, apart from briefing Hon'ble President on the progress in bilateral ties, the embassy sa

Nepal PM says landlocked barriers can become gateways with India, China

Nepal can transform the barriers of "landlockedness" into gateways of opportunities with the support of its neighbours India and China, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said on Tuesday. Oli made the comments while addressing the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) in Awaza, Turkmenistan, according to a statement issued by his office. "We are confident that, with the continued support of our neighbours, India and China, and the broader international community, we can transform the barriers of 'landlockedness' into gateways of opportunity," he said. According to the statement, Oli also said that the Himalayan nation was working with New Delhi and Beijing to enhance connectivity. Nepal firmly believes that regional solidarity and global cooperation are vital for bridging the development divide, he said. As a committed member of the LLDC family, Nepal stands ready to work with all of you, not only as a beneficiary of change, but also as a partner in

PM Oli to raise trade issues with India during upcoming New Delhi visit

Nepal is preparing for a high-level dialogue to resolve existing trade issues with India during Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's upcoming visit to New Delhi, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said on Tuesday. Various issues, including trade promotion, would be discussed, Bhandari said while speaking as chief guest at a programme organised by Nepal Freight Forwarders Association to mark the 31st Cargo Day in Kathmandu. The Ministry has been taking initiatives to upgrade trade and business between the two countries, he added. The government is committed to resolving the trade-related issues with the two neighbouring countries, India and China, as they are Nepal's first market, Bhandari said. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri last week said Prime Minister Oli will visit India in mid-September. However, the date and the detailed schedules of the visit are yet to be finalised.

India, Nepal ink pact for 5 projects under ₹39 crore grant assistance

India and Nepal on Monday signed an agreement to implement five "high-impact" development projects related to education and health in the Himalayan nation under an Indian grant assistance of NRs 390 million, according to an official statement. The Embassy of India and Nepal's Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and Project Implementing Agencies signed Memorandums of Understanding, the Indian mission here said in a statement. The five "High Impact Community Development Projects" include the construction of various school buildings in the Madhesh and Sudurpashchim provinces. It also includes the construction of a five-bed hospital building in the Gandaki province, the press release said. The construction of these facilities will help provide better education and health facilities to the people in Nepal, it said. As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation," said the statement, adding that the projects' implementation refle

Nepal PM Oli confirms India visit, says timing depends on groundwork

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said that he will be visiting India and that ground work is underway on both sides for the visit. He, however, did not specify any time. Oli's comment about his visit to India comes amid speculations by some sections of local media that he didn't receive any invitation from India for an official visit, indicating that his relations with India became sour. I will probably embark on a visit to India. My visit to India will take place after the two sides do necessary ground works, Oli said in an interview to a Nepalese Youtube channel Dishanirdesh TV late on Thursday. It was in July last year that Oli, the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) - popular as the CPN-UML - assumed the office of Prime Minister for the fourth time. He had chosen to visit China for his maiden foreign visit, breaking the tradition of visiting India as the first destination after assuming the post of prime minister. Oli also revealed t

20 missing as floods wash away Nepal-China border bridge in Rasuwa

At least 20 people were missing after a river flooded by monsoon rains on Tuesday washed away the Friendship Bridge connecting Nepal with China. The continuous monsoon rainfall in China on Monday night triggered a flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal. The Miteri Bridge in Rasuwa district, 120 km northeast of Kathmandu, was swept away by flooding at around 3:15 am on Tuesday. Twenty people, including six Chinese nationals, have gone missing, official sources said. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 55 people, including four Indian nationals and one Chinese, were rescued by the joint team of Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli visited the flood-affected areas near the Nepal-China border, including parts of Rasuwa district. He was accompanied by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel. Oli in a social media post said the government is working on a war-footing to res

India tops Nepal's June tourist arrivals, US overtakes China for 2nd spot

India continued to be at the top in the arrival of tourists in Nepal by air in June with 32,662 visitors, as the Himalayan nation welcomed 76,425 tourists, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. The US surpassed China, securing second position with 9,696 visitors. In June, 6,736 Chinese tourists visited Nepal by air followed by Bangladesh with 5,449 and the UK with 2,284 arrivals. From 2014 to 2020, China was the second largest country generating tourists for Nepal. However, since 2021, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal has declined with the US emerging as the second largest. India has always topped the number of visitors coming to Nepal. In the first six months of the year, Nepal received 5,77,000 tourists by air, which is a 0.91 per cent decline as compared to the same period last year. In 2024, Nepal welcomed 577,689 tourists by air in the first six months.