Page 4 - India Nepal Ties

KIIT row: Nepal human rights panel asks India counterpart to ensure justice

The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal has urged its Indian counterpart to investigate the unnatural death of a 20-year-old student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) here and ensure justice for her. The alleged death by suicide of B Tech student Prakriti Lamsal and the subsequent attack on protesting Nepalese pupils at KIIT and their eviction from the campus created a furore, prompting the Nepal government to intervene in the matter. Nepal NHRC, in a press release, said it has written to the National Human Rights Commission of India requesting it to probe the suspicious death of the woman, who hailed from Kathmandu, and provide speedy justice to the students who were allegedly beaten up and mistreated at KIIT. It urged India's NHRC to ensure security for the Nepalese students and ensure that they can study in a fear-free environment, besides bringing the university officials and individuals involved in the incident to book. Based on the complaints received

Odisha govt vows to take action against those involved in KIIT case

The Odisha government on Saturday said all those responsible for the death of a Nepalese student of a private engineering institute KIIT and the alleged assault on the pupils from the Himalayan country would not be spared. Congress activists also held a demonstration, demanding the immediate arrest of KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta. A large number of youth and student activists of Congress staged the protest before the main gate of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and burnt effigy of Samanta. A scuffle broke out between the security personnel and the agitators when Congress workers attempted to barge into the KIIT campus. The Congress activists held the demonstration a day after the party MLAs in the assembly demanded a judicial inquiry into the death of a 20-year-old Nepalese student and subsequently, the alleged attack on pupils from the neighbouring country. Odisha's Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, however, said that the state government was ...

159 students of Odisha univ return to Nepal, claim were treated 'inhumanly'

Days after a Nepalese female student allegedly died by suicide at an Odisha university and the college administration ordered Nepali students to vacate the hostel, 159 students have returned to the country via Raxaul border, an official has said. Assistant Chief District Officer, Parsa, Suman Kumar Karki said that 159 Nepali students arrived home from the Raxaul border point till Thursday evening. Prakriti Lamsal, 20, a third-year B Tech (Computer Science) student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, allegedly died by suicide at her hostel room on February 16, leading to unrest on the campus. There are around 1,000 Nepalese students studying in KIIT, Odisha. Speaking to media at Reporters' Club in Kathmandu, a group of students who returned to Nepal said that they were subjected to inhuman treatment at the KIIT after the death of the Nepalese female student in the college hostel. After the mysterious death of Prakriti Lamsal, we were abused and got inhum

KIIT issue: Unhappy with reply, BJD, Cong stage walkout in Odisha Assembly

The opposition BJD and Congress on Friday staged a walkout in the Odisha Assembly expressing dissatisfaction with the state Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj's reply to the debate on the KIIT issue. Members cutting across party lines expressed disappointment with what happened at KIIT after the death of a Nepalese student in her hostel room. The BJD and Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter but the state government did not respond to their request. The minister said law will take its course and whoever is guilty will be punished. The unrest in KIIT began after the alleged suicide of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a student from Nepal, on Sunday afternoon. Other Nepalese students staged agitation and demanded justice. However, the KIIT authorities issued suspension notices to about 1,000 Nepalese students and asked them to leave the campus on Monday. Following the intervention of the Centre and the state government, the KIIT authorities had tendered an apolog

Nepali students have started returning to campus: KIIT additional registrar

Odisha government's Director of Higher Education said that the High-Level Committee has decided to conduct an inquiry into the alleged suicide of a student

KIIT launches scholarship in memory of Nepalese student amid backlash

The KIIT suicide case has led to diplomatic concerns between Nepal and India as the Nepalese government warned that it might reconsider sending students to Indian institutions if justice is not served

KIIT suicide: Nepal's FM Deuba speaks with Odisha's education minister

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has on Wednesday requested Odisha Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to make arrangements for impartial investigation into the death of a Nepalese student and take legal action against the culprit. During a telephone call, she also asked the Indian minister to ensure that classes resume for other Nepalese students in the university in his state in a safe environment, according to a statement from the secretariat of the Foreign Minister. Prakriti Lamsal, 20, a third-year B Tech (Computer Science) student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, allegedly died by suicide at her hostel room on February 16, leading to unrest on the campus. During the conversation, Suryabanshi informed that the Odisha government has taken the matter seriously and a high-level probe committee has been formed to provide justice to Lamsal and punish the culprit. He also assured that arrangements have been made for the safety of Nepalese students in

KIIT University suicide case: Nepali student's death sparks diplomatic row

KIIT suicide row: The Nepali student, a third-year BTech Computer Science major, died allegedly by suicide following alleged physical and verbal abuse by her 21-year-old batchmate

Govt pushes Nepal for speedy completion of projects funded by New Delhi

Ahead of Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar's visit to Nepal, India on Friday pushed for speedy completion of projects funded by New Delhi in the Himalayan nation. During a meeting between Indian envoy to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and Nepal's Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka at the latter's office, they also discussed about early completion of the detailed project report (DPR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, sources in the ministry said. The two also discussed Khattar's forthcoming visit to Nepal. Ambassador Srivastava urged Minister Khadka to facilitate the speedy progress of the projects run under Indian investment as he discussed various aspects of energy cooperation between Nepal and India, the sources added. Khadka extended thanks to Ambassador Srivastava for India's cooperation in power trade, construction of additional transmission lines, and progress made by hydro-power projects having Indian investment. Srivastava assured

India tops Nepal's tourist list in Jan despite decline in visitor numbers

India remains Nepal's largest source of foreign tourists in January, but the number of visitors from the country saw a slight decline in the month, according to official data released on Monday. Of nearly 80,000 foreign tourists who visited Nepal last month, 20,485 were Indians, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said. This marks a 15.1 per cent decrease compared to January 2024, when 24,139 Indians arrived in the country by air. Indian tourists primarily enter Nepal through border points, using road and vehicle routes, but NTB's records only account for those arriving by air. China, Nepal's second-largest tourism market, saw a contrasting trend. In January, 8,191 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, reflecting a 12.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The US ranks third among Nepal's top tourist sources. In January, 8,063 Americans visited the Himalayan nation, marking a 14.9 per cent increase from the previous year. Other key sources of tourists included Bangladesh

India, Nepal review progress of post earthquake reconstruction projects

India and Nepal held the 5th meeting of the JPMC on post-earthquake reconstruction projects on 27th January, 2025 in Kathmandu

R-Day 2025: PM Modi thanks world leaders for their wishes to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked world leaders for their wishes on India's 76th Republic Day. Thanking France President Emmanuel Macron, Modi said his presence at the R-day parade last year was a high point in the strategic partnership and enduring friendship between the two countries. "My dear friend, President @EmmanuelMacron, your kind greetings on India's 76th Republic Day are deeply appreciated. Your august presence last year on this day was indeed a high point in our strategic partnership and enduring friendship. See you soon at the AI Action Summit in Paris as we work together for better future of the humanity," he said in response to a post by Macron on X. In a separate post, Modi thanked Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin, saying, " I am confident that the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Ireland, based on the shared trust and belief in democracy, will continue to strengthen in times to come". India's rich cultural diversity, military prowess

Nepal's roadmap aims to generate 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035: PM Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Friday said the government has prepared a roadmap for generating 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035. Nepal currently generates around 2,500 MW of hydro power. Addressing a programme organised by Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) to commemorate its silver jubilee in Kathmandu, Oli said there was no need to worry about the sale of energy as the energy producers would find sufficient market for the energy produced by them. There is no need to worry about energy consumption as heavy industries like iron and steel and fertilizer plants are in the process of being established in the country and preparations are being made to operate the closed industries in a new modality, Oli said. The prime minister said that the government is also conducting research into producing green hydrogen energy within the country. Oli also invited the private sector as well as foreign investors to invest in hydropower sector saying that the government

India holds meeting with Nepal govt; wheat supply of 200,000 MT confirmed

This meeting of the IGC, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, carried out a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationships

India, Nepal officials discuss border security ahead of Maha Kumbh, R-Day

Senior administrative officials from India and Nepal held a coordination meeting here on Saturday to discuss border security measures ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela and Republic Day, a statement said. The meeting, chaired by the District Magistrate of Bahraich and other officials took place at the Integrated Checkpost building in Rupaidiha, located along the India-Nepal border, it said. According to the statement the primary objective of the meeting was to bolster border security ahead of Maha Kumbh-2025, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, and Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Officials from both countries deliberated on joint strategies to curb cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal weapons trafficking, the statement said. They meeting also focused on prioritising the maintenance and repair of border infrastructure to ensure improved security, it added.

Surya Kiran: Indo-Nepal joint military exercise focuses on urban warfare

It focuses on counterterrorism and operations in challenging terrains, the exercise features rigorous training in jungle survival, urban warfare, heliborne operations, and ambush tactics

Signing BRI framework with China, Modi meeting key to stronger ties: Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday said the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement with China during his recent trip and his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly were important in strengthening bilateral relations. The 72-year-old Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leader said these meetings and visits have made meaningful contributions in strengthening Nepal's relations with neighbouring countries. Oli said this while presenting a political report at the central committee meeting of the party in Lalitpur. A balanced foreign policy based on mutual interest and equal benefits will be pursued keeping the national interest in focal point to further strengthen multi-faceted diplomacy, economic, social, cultural and trade relations with both the neighbours as well as all the friendly countries, Oli said. He also expressed his commitment to resolve the existing issues with the

18th Exercise Surya Kiran: India-Nepal joint military exercise commences

The 18th edition of Exercise Surya Kiran, a joint military exercise between India and Nepal aimed at enhancing interoperability and fostering collaboration between the two nations' armies, began on Tuesday. The annual training event is conducted alternatively in the two countries. The exercise, taking place at the Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi in the Shivalik ranges of Western Nepal, will be conducted till January 13. It "aims to enhance interoperability, primarily in the fields of Counter Terrorism (CT) Operations," according to an X post by the Indian embassy here. "Exercise Surya Kiran signifies the strong bond of friendship, trust and common military linkages that exist between India and Nepal," it said. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 334 personnel, is being led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles, according to a press release by the Defence Ministry in New Delhi. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operation

Nepal 2024: Shifting coalitions; new PM balances ties with India, China

The tradition of musical chairs continued in Nepal politics in 2024. Coalition equations changed yet again with a dispensation perceived as pro-China coming to power, a development India viewed with caution. K P Sharma Oli, 72, became prime minister for the fourth time to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability to the Himalayan nation. In July, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', 69, lost a trust vote as Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist) withdrew support to his government after inking a new power-sharing deal with the largest party in the House led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. Under their deal, Oli will hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Deuba after 20 months. The year began with a visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal in January, and Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba visited India as the year came to a close. Rana also visited earlier in August, a week after India's Foreign Secretary .

'Exercise Surya Kiran': 300 Indian Army personnel depart for Nepal

During the exercise, the soldiers of two nations will be able to share best practices, enhance interoperability and foster a stronger bond in conduct of joint operations