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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nepal PM Oli to visit India in mid-September
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to India towards mid-September, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday (July 20, 2025). 'Preparations for the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister are under way. However, the date and the detailed schedules of the visit are yet to be finalised,' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said. However, sources at the Prime Minister's Office said that Mr. Oli will embark on his official visit to the southern neighbour on September 16. The visit will be short this time, probably for two days, the sources added. Mr. Oli, the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) — popular as the CPN-UML — had assumed the office of Prime Minister for the fourth time last July. 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. Mr. Oli visited China in December last year at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang. During his four-day visit, he addressed a function at Peking University in Beijing and met President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Qiang. Amid speculation by some sections of local media that he didn't receive any invitation from India for an official visit, indicating that his relations with New Delhi had soured, Mr. Oli on Thursday said he will be visiting India and that ground work is under way on both sides for the trip. He, however, did not specify any timeframe for the visit at that time.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
A year of rhetoric, broken promises, and weak governance for Nepal's Oli
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has completed a year in office with the two largest parties — the Nepali Congress and his own CPN-UML — continuing the coalition that they forged with several promises, including amendments to the constitution, good governance, and a boost to development. While promises have remained largely unfulfilled, public dissatisfaction has grown. Analysts describe Mr. Oli's one year in office as unsuccessful across key sectors — governance, legislation, development, and foreign relations. 'It's a disaster on all fronts,' says Hari Sharma, a political commentator. 'If we were to talk about achievements, there is nothing visible… nothing that the people could really feel.' When Mr. Oli signed a seven-point deal with Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on July 1 last year — which set the stage for Mr. Oli's fourth stint in power starting two weeks later on July 15 — the message the duo tried to convey was that a strong and stable government was what Nepal needed to usher in stability and ensure good governance. With Congress, the single largest party with 88 seats, backing Mr. Oli — whose Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) holds 79 seats — they controlled a comfortable majority in Parliament. But even on the legislative front, the government's weakness was starkly exposed, triggering public outcry. Amending the constitution was a core agenda of the two parties. They peddled the idea that the electoral system envisioned by the constitution, promulgated 10 years ago, made it nearly impossible for any single party to secure a majority, inevitably leading to hung parliaments and a cycle of unstable coalition governments. They proclaimed that Nepal's development was stymied by the lack of a stable and strong government. But the constitutional amendment was a ruse from the outset, a smokescreen to justify their return to power, say commentators. Whether the said amendments were even possible is a secondary question; the primary question is whether they ever truly intended to, says Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, research director at the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy, a Kathmandu-based think tank. 'As a matter of fact, constitutional amendments were never on the Oli government's agenda. This idea was tossed around to justify the coalition of the two largest parties, which is an unusual practice in parliamentary democracy,' says Mr. Khanal. 'What has actually been established over the past year is a politics of collusion, enabling the subversion of the rule of law in the interest of the ruling parties.' Just as Mr. Oli neared the first anniversary of his government, reports surfaced that one of his Cabinet Ministers was involved in corruption. For several weeks, lawmakers have been raising issues of bad governance and irregularities. Corruption concerns Mr. Oli, a loquacious leader by nature, is never tired of asserting that he won't tolerate corruption, but chooses to maintain silence on the issues of irregularities, including those involving Ministers from his own party. 'Forget achievements and progress; under Oli, corruption has been socialised. And this is even more dangerous,' says Tula Shah, a political analyst. 'The normalisation of corruption epitomises governance failure.' A couple of months ago, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak's name appeared in connection with a scheme under which millions were allegedly being collected from unsuspecting Nepalis going abroad on visit visas. After a hue and cry in the media and Parliament, the government formed a committee to investigate the matter. By the Oli government's own admission, the 'visit visa scam' had been going on for many years under various governments. Analysts say pointing to previous governments is a deflection tactic by the Oli government, when it should have taken stern measures and asked the Home Minister to resign. 'No government, or its leader for that matter, can avoid responsibility by claiming it has not committed corruption; checking corruption is the primary duty of any government,' says Mr. Shah. 'Implementing strong measures to curb corruption is one of the ways to earn public trust, and the government has failed in this.' Foreign relations fiasco Nepal's foreign policy is mainly shaped by its relations with two countries — India and China, its two neighbours. Ever since Mr. Oli became Prime Minister for the first time in 2018 — after the promulgation of the constitution in 2015 — he has made a habit of taking India head-on. He used Delhi's lukewarm response to the constitution and the subsequent border blockade to whip up ultra-nationalist fervor among his political base. His relations with New Delhi have not been the best. Yet, ever since assuming office last year, Mr. Oli has been keenly waiting for a visit to India. In November, he went to China, in a departure from the general tradition of visiting India first. During the Beijing visit, he secured a deal under the Belt and Road Initiative to carry forward a dozen projects in Nepal with Chinese funding. However, analysts say that does not signify an improved relationship. 'We have not seen any progress under that deal as well,' says Mr. Sharma. According to him, Mr. Oli, who never misses a chance to take a jibe at India, has spent the entire year waiting for an invite from Delhi. 'There is clearly a lack of trust from both neighbours,' he said. 'So, on the foreign policy front as well, Oli has not been successful.' Public dissatisfaction From the very outset, the government has earned notoriety for being intolerant of criticism and for its vindictive attitude. Those criticising the government or people in power on social media have been prosecuted through misuse of laws. In March, pro-monarchy protests attracted many people — though not all were calling for the monarchy's return. Many had joined simply to express dissatisfaction with misgovernance. The way the Oli government handled the protests — two people were killed and several others injured — led to more discontent among the general public. In recent months, even some members of the ruling parties have voiced criticism of the Oli government over its failures in basic areas like service delivery. Improved public service delivery is one way to measure how the government is functioning, but on this front too, the current administration has failed miserably, say analysts. 'The dilapidated condition of a major highway is a clear example of the central government's failure,' says Mr. Sharma. 'Over the past year, the road has remained unchanged, which means the government has done nothing.' A Bill related to civil service was mired in controversy after it was discovered that some interest groups from outside Parliament had influenced the insertion of a provision without lawmakers' knowledge. After the incident was widely reported, a committee to look into the matter was formed. But the episode exposed the weakness of the legislature, where the two big parties control enough seats to pass Bills. A few months ago, the government introduced a flurry of ordinances to change laws it claimed were hindering economic activities. That too raised questions about the 'strength' of the government Mr. Oli claims to lead. Ignoring such incidents that have eroded public faith in the government, Prime Minister Oli's outrageous daily claims of development and governance come as an affront to the people, commentators say. 'All in all, it's a rhetoric-filled one year for Mr. Oli,' says Mr. Sharma. 'More in talk, nothing in substance.' (Sanjeev Satgainya is an independent journalist based in Kathmandu)
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ties in region back in focus with PM's forthcoming visit to Maldives
Ties in the neighbourhood will come back into focus next week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Male on July 25-26 for the Independence Day of the Maldives, and sources say a long-pending visit by Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to New Delhi is being planned shortly after his return. Mr. Modi was expected to travel to the U.K. to sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but officials said the trip, which is still being planned for July 24, has not been 'finalised' and could be delayed. Mr. Modi is expected to land in Male on July 25, and will be given a ceremonial welcome. He will hold bilateral talks with Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu, who visited India in June 2024 for Mr. Modi's swearing-in ceremony and then for a State visit in October. Among a number of development initiatives, both sides are expected to build on the launch of digital payment system UPI and mechanisms to increase tourist arrivals between both countries, officials working on the visit said. On July 26, Mr. Modi has been invited as a guest to the Independence Day parade and other special ceremonies to mark 60 years of the Maldives getting independence from the British in 1965. The invitation was announced by Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel during his visit to India in May this year. Officials said that India and the U.K. have also been discussing a short visit to London by Mr. Modi before he travels to Male, on July 24, to sign the FTA that was announced by him and Mr. Starmer on May 6. However, it is understood that some technical and 'legal scrubbing' is still required to be finished, and the trip may require to be put off or held after the Male visit. The visit to the Maldives is significant as it marks Mr. Modi's first visit to the neighbouring country since the election of Mr. Muizzu in November 2023. Ties between India and Maldives hit a rough patch over the 'India Out' campaign that Mr. Muizzu had backed during his campaign, and the 'Boycott Maldives' social media campaign that followed over criticism of Mr. Modi by Maldivian Ministers. However, the two sides subsequently resolved issues, after India agreed to replace military personnel stationed there for aircraft management with civilian engineers. India has also increased its Lines of Credit and outlay to Maldives from ₹470 crore in 2024-25 to ₹600 crore in the latest budget, and extended a much needed currency swap facility to help Maldives with its debt repayment crisis last year. Diplomatic sources further said that India is expected to host Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli later this month and that discussions are on. Mr. Oli was one of the first regional leaders to condemn the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and, subsequently, India accommodated Nepalese citizens while airlifting stranded nationals from Iran against the backdrop of the Iran-Israel conflict. Mr. Oli in recent months, has also praised India for supporting the democratic process in post-monarchy Nepal. While plans are underway for the visit, there are also internal political developments in Nepal that will be taken into consideration at the planning stage. On Wednesday (July 16, 2025), Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N), withdrew support to Mr. Oli's government, reducing the ruling coalition to a minority in the Upper House of the Nepalese Parliament — National Assembly. Mr. Oli's India proposed visit has acquired heightened attention as he was sworn in on July 15, 2024 but has not visited India till now, but had visited China in December last year.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nepal to witness a new political front to challenge Oli government: Baburam Bhattarai
Nepal's former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will launch a new political front to address growing disenchantment about the current government led by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu on Monday (April 28, 2025), Mr Bhattarai ruled out weakening of the democratic process in Nepal and said 'there is no chance of the return of monarchy in Nepal' and that the unhappiness on the ground is against Mr Oli's government and not against the post-monarchy democracy. 'Nepal is caught in the cycle of three leaders – Sher Bahadur Deuba, K.P. Sharma Oli and Prachanda. The youth are disenchanted as economic development has been too slow. People are looking for a change and that is why we are launching this front and have tentatively named it as Progressive Democratic Front or Progressive Socialist Front,' said Mr Bhattarai saying that new constituents are coming into the front as Nepal plans for the next election in 2027. Mr Bhattarai currently leads the Naya Shakti Party which is a democratic socialist political party in Nepal. Mr Bhattarai said the pro-monarchy protest that recently took place in Kathmandu did not acquire sufficient political mass as the people are not unhappy with the democratic process, adding 'People are unhappy with the current government of K.P. Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba. They are not upset with the democratic system. Therefore there is no chance of the return of monarchy.' Mr Bhattarai is visiting India as Nepal marks 20th anniversary of Jana Andolan II. Two decades ago in February 2005, King Gyanendra suspended the existing constitution and deposed the government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba which led to a public upsurge paving the way for the overthrow of monarchy in 2006 and the transfer of power to a democratically elected government in 2008 under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. Nepal subsequently adopted a new constitution in September 2015 pledging to create a more inclusive democratic system that would do away with regional disparities and systemic bias. However, the new constitution has also been accused of sustaining old social and political structures and the governments over the previous decade could not carry out the amendments that were demanded by the tribes and people from the Terai belt. He also surmised that despite growing unhappiness against the Oli government, there is no likelihood of an immediate overthrow of the current government as 'no party in the parliament has a majority' arguing that 'change may happen even now but that will not make any qualitative change as all the three major leaders [Oli and Deuba in the government and Prachanda in the opposition] have been discredited and that is why we are forming an alternative front.' Mr Bhattarai however remarked on Monday that much of Nepal's current political problem is rooted in the fact that the Maoists could not implement their full charter of change and said, 'Nepal's revolution was incomplete and the current situation and the protests are part of that pain that we have to undergo before more changes takes place in the country.' 'Oli and Prachanda are the same. Prachanda who was the Maoist leader has been co-opted in the old system. That is why people like us are trying to build a new front,' said Mr Bhattarai.
France 24
25-04-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Nepal marks 10 years since devastating 2015 quake
The 7.8-magnitude quake on April 25, 2015, triggered avalanches and landslides across the Himalayan nation and flattened villages. Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli attended a memorial ceremony at the site of Dharahara tower, one of many buildings that crumbled in the quake. "We are vulnerable to other natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and are more prone to earthquakes. We need to prepare ahead against natural calamities," Oli said. The 19th-century, nine-storey Dharahara tower toppled during the earthquake, killing more than 50 people. A replica has been built next to the rubble of the original. Attendees, including civil servants and local residents, observed a moment of silence at 11:56 am, the time the quake struck. Oli lit candles in memory of those who were killed. "I would like to offer my condolences to those all who lost their lives," Oli said. At the historic Patan Durbar Square, people recounted harrowing tales of the day. "Whenever I remember that day, I still feel anxious," Rajshree Maharjan told AFP. "I had just finished my meal when the quake struck. My neighbour's house collapsed, and four people were killed after being buried under the rubble." Memorials were held in several of the affected districts across the country. The aftermath of the quake exposed deep cracks in Nepal's disaster response system and the rebuilding efforts were initially hit by political infighting, bureaucracy and confusion. Since then, significant progress have been made. According to official figures, nearly 90 percent of the homes destroyed have been rebuilt, alongside thousands of schools, health institutions, and public buildings.
