September 22, 2025

Nepal is buzzing with excitement and questions after its government led by K P Sharma Oli toppled in a matter of days! The country's urban youth led a fierce anti-corruption rebellion that shook the political scene earlier this month. Was this rise so fast that protesters had secret foreign help? Nepal's social media lit up with this question after even the Dalai Lama congratulated the youth, stirring more debate. But many say, “No way, it's Nepali power all the way!” Kathmandu journalist Devendra Bhattarai explained, "The Gen Z campaign is often compared to movements in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or Syria, but it must not be forgotten that this is less the result of outside influence and more a revolution born and nurtured by Nepali leaders here." Political scientist Sucheta Pyakurel called it a "revolution of mass frustration" caused by cronyism and lack of chances, but also warned about "correlation between sovereignty and external influence." She added, "With many youths leaving for jobs abroad, external influence naturally grows." Nepal stands at a tricky spot, squeezed between two giants — India and China. This Himalayan nation of nearly 30 million people has faced much political chaos, with eight governments since 2015. The big three leaders—Oli (CPN-UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba (Nepali Congress), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Maoist-Center)—have often switched places. Many political groups claim that powers like India, the US, and the EU influence Nepal's politics. China, once silent, is now vocal too. Nepal officially follows a "non-aligned foreign policy," a wise phrase from King Prithvi meaning “friendship with all, enmity with none.” India shares a long open border and close cultural and economic ties with Nepal. Instability there worries India a lot. China, sharing the northern border with Tibet, also watches Nepal closely. Beijing wants Nepal to respect the One China Policy, which Nepal has promised to do. Since 2017, Nepal joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative, dreaming of new roads, railways, and energy networks. Expert Chandra Dev Bhatta said, "For Beijing, a stable Nepal means protecting Tibet and gaining support for China's global goals." At the same time, Nepal keeps good ties with the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The US recently gave a $530 million grant to upgrade Nepal's energy and roads, their answer to China's Belt and Road. Oli leaned toward China, making friends with Chinese leaders, attending a parade in Beijing in 2022, and raising Nepal's concerns about a border dispute with India and China. China said Nepal supported its Global Security Initiative, but Nepal denied it. Bhatta finds Oli’s tilt toward China "uncommon" since Nepal usually balances India and the West carefully. Japan was quick to congratulate Nepal’s new government, hinting it didn’t like Oli’s China focus. The new interim government, led by former Supreme Court justice Sushila Karki, got warm welcomes from India, China, the US, and the UN. Modi told Karki that India fully supports her work to bring peace and stability while China respects Nepal’s independent choices. Karki’s government is busy preparing elections to pass power smoothly to a newly elected team. How they will handle ties with regional and global powers remains a mystery. Indra Adhikari of Nepal's Policy Research Institute warns Nepal to stick to its policy of non-alignment and avoid getting caught in big power games. So, is Nepal’s youth rebellion truly Nepali or a silent chess game between giants? One thing's for sure: the Himalayan nation is walking a delicate diplomatic tightrope with all eyes watching!

Read More at News →

Tags: Nepal politics, Anti-corruption protests, K p sharma oli, China india nepal, Youth rebellion, International influence,