In Nepal, on September 8 and 9, a popular uprising took place that culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister and the dissolution of parliament, marking one of the most significant upheavals in recent years. A new interim government of technocrats has since assumed office with three clear key mandates: to hold elections scheduled for March 5, 2026; to ensure accountability for the indiscriminate killings of protestors; and to lead investigations into major corruption cases that were previously botched..
The protests reignited regional attention toward Nepal’s internal politics. Yet what was also striking this time was how they resonated with a younger Indian audience largely unfamiliar with Nepal’s political journey. For many of them, this was perhaps the first time they were following a political event in Nepal unfolding in real time. A large share of this generation was not yet born when Nepal abolished its 240-year-old monarchy in 2006 to move to a Federal Democratic Republic with seven provinces and 753 local units of government. Nor do many recall the promulgation of the 2015 Constitution, a landmark moment that reshaped the country’s political order but also strained Nepal’s relationship with India, particularly after the subsequent border blockade widely perceived as India’s show of displeasure. This event triggered a gradual erosion of trust between the two neighbours, the effects of which continue to reverberate today.