Nepal protests: India mourns deaths, urges dialogue and restraint

The response from New Delhi followed a day after Nepal’s capital and other cities saw massive “Gen Z protests” by young groups.

India on Tuesday voiced grief over the deaths of 19 people during large-scale protests in Nepal, which eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. New Delhi urged all sides to remain calm and to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue instead of violence.

The statement from India came a day after Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal witnessed fierce “Gen Z protests” led by youth organisations. Demonstrators rallied against the government’s crackdown on social media platforms and its inability to fight rampant corruption.

Several protesters lost their lives when police opened fire, sparking criticism not only from opposition leaders but also from members of the ruling coalition, including the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). The heavy-handed response was widely blamed on Oli’s leadership.

The external affairs ministry in New Delhi said it has been monitoring the situation in Nepal closely since Monday. In its official statement, issued hours before Oli stepped down, it noted: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives.”

“As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” the statement added.

Indian authorities also highlighted that curfew orders were in place across Kathmandu and several other cities. Citizens of India living or travelling in Nepal were advised to stay alert and follow local instructions carefully.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the ministry further said.

Sources familiar with the matter explained that India is cautious not to appear aligned with any one side, while stakeholders in Nepal work to ease the crisis.

Despite strict curfews, protests carried on in Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Demonstrators set fire to government buildings, including the Parliament, and targeted residences and offices of political leaders. Seventeen deaths were reported in Kathmandu and two more in Itahari, with over 400 injuries caused by police action on Monday.

The unrest began after the Nepal government blocked major social media platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, X, and Reddit — when the companies failed to register with the communication and information technology ministry by the August 28 deadline. Protesters also expressed frustration at the government’s inaction against corruption.

The crisis unfolded amid already strained India-Nepal ties, with Oli’s government viewed as leaning closer to Beijing. Kathmandu had earlier objected to India’s move to reopen border trade with China through Lipulekh, a territory also claimed by Nepal.

Oli was due to visit India on September 16-17, which would have been his first official trip since taking office in July 2024. The visit was expected to provide a platform for both countries to address ongoing differences.