 "Nepal crisis: How will the political turmoil impact India?")
Nepal is witnessing a political crisis. The widespread protests against corruption, nepotism and restricted economic opportunities, sparked by a ban on social media, have led to the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government.
As unrest grips the Himalayan nation, India, which shares a porous border with Nepal, is on alert. Central agencies have issued alerts to the Bihar Police, the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to keep a strict vigil on the border.
We take a look at what the crisis in Nepal means for India.
Catch all live updates on Nepal political crisis here.
High alert on India-Nepal border
India’s areas bordering Nepal are on high alert after protests in the country spiralled into political turmoil. At least 19 people were killed and more than 300 were injured as the government responded with force against the Gen Z protesters.
The deadly agitation that began on Monday prompted Oli to lift the social media ban and ultimately resign as Nepal’s PM.
Amid the ongoing unrest, India’s 1751-km-long unfenced border with Nepal is on high alert.
Police teams and SSB jawans are carrying out joint patrols, while security forces are closely monitoring any cross-border movement.
A police post has been erected at the Indo-Nepal border at Panitanki town in West Bengal’s Darjeeling.
“As the situation on the border is concerned, it is absolutely peaceful at the International border and on the Indian side of the border. However, some violent incidents have been reported from the other side of the border (in Nepal) since morning. We are alert and have increased our deployment in the area. An additional deployment was made from the Police headquarters. We have geared up our intelligence machinery in view of the situation. We will be working in close coordination with SSB. SSB has also increased their foot on the ground in this area. The Immigration & Customs Office across the border has been attacked. Movement of people across the border has been stopped,” DG & IG of North Bengal Police, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, told news agency ANI.
On Tuesday (September 9), the India-Nepal border at Jogbani in Bihar’s Araria was put on high alert as violent protests erupted in Kathmandu.
The Uttar Pradesh government has directed the police to stay on high alert in the border districts with Nepal. It has also issued helpline numbers to help Indians stranded in the neighbouring country.
Many Indian tourists have returned along the Indo-Nepal border at Sonauli in UP’s Maharajganj, as many have cut short their trips due to the worsening situation in Nepal.
The boost in security on the Nepal border comes amid concerns in India about terrorists and other rogue elements entering the country.
Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been using the Nepal border to send terrorists to India. Drug and arms smugglers have also used this border.
The Indian intelligence agencies have warned that the unrest in Nepal could result in a spill-over of anti-social elements into India, reported IANS.
Flights affected
Several airlines have cancelled flights to Nepal amid the political turmoil. IndiGo, Air India and Nepal Airlines are among those to suspend flights to Kathmandu.
Several flights in and out of the Nepal capital were cancelled as the Tribhuvan International Airport shut down following deadly protests. Three Kathmandu-bound flights were diverted to Lucknow and another to Delhi. IndiGo operated two of these flights, while the rest were flown by FlyDubai and Thai Lion Air.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged Indian nationals to “defer travel” to the neighbouring country until the situation has stabilised.
“Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the embassy of India in Kathmandu,” it said in a post on X.
Press Release: Advisory for Nepal⬇️
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 9, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/KWAzgnJaL1 pic.twitter.com/2pBOSYt6oP
India-Nepal trade
The trade between India and Nepal could be hit if the unrest continues.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, almost 200 trucks carrying petroleum products, LPG cylinders, cement, and food grains to Nepal were stranded. Just a few tankers with essential supplies were escorted into the neighbouring country under Army protection, as per News18.
New Delhi has adopted a “wait-and-watch” approach as trade experts warn that prolonged instability could affect supply chains and exports, reported Livemint.
A government official told the financial newspaper that for now, there are no concerns about trade with Nepal. “We are, however, monitoring the situation closely and remain in regular contact with the export promotion councils to assess any potential risks,” the official said.
India and Nepal are major trading partners, with New Delhi exporting goods worth $7.32 billion to Kathmandu in FY25, while imports into India stood at $1.2 billion.
India transports most of its goods to Nepal via road, as the Himalayan nation is landlocked.
“Any disruption in transport routes, customs operations, or cross-border logistics could delay shipments, impacting both Indian exporters and Nepali consumers who rely on these goods,” Ajay Srivastava, co-founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said to Livemint.
Curious timing of protests in Nepal
Nepal is an important strategic country for India, with which it boasts long-standing ties and friendship.
India has asked its nationals in Nepal to exercise caution as the country sees unrest.
“We are closely monitoring the developments in Nepal since yesterday and are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased. We also wish a speedy recovery for those who were injured,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry said that India, as a close friend and neighbour, hopes that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue.
“We have also taken note that authorities have imposed curfew in Kathmandu and several other cities of Nepal. Indian nationals in Nepal are advised to exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities,” it added.
For India, another neighbouring country has been thrown into a political crisis in recent years. Last year, student-led protests triggered the toppling of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Nepal is geopolitically significant for India as it acts as a buffer with China.
The timing of the protests in Nepal led by Gen Z has come into focus. The agitation came in the wake of Oli’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The former Nepal PM was also slated to visit India in September. “When there is any political crisis in Nepal, people try to link it to India or China. Chatter linked the pro-monarchy protests from earlier this year to India,” Keshav Pradhan, veteran journalist who has been covering Nepal, SAARC and China-Tibet affairs, told India Today Digital.
Unlike in Bangladesh, where India’s ties with Hasina impacted the response to the political crisis, New Delhi has a chance to allow the situation to play out in Nepal. It can, instead, focus on cooperative relationships across sectors that have benefited the people of both nations.
With inputs from agencies
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