The US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), which was recently accused of playing a covert role in Bangladesh’s youth-led movement that forced Sheikh Hasina to step down in August 2024, has now come under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in Nepal’s recent political turmoil.
According to documents accessed by Indian intelligence agencies, the IRI – funded under the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED) programme – financed and trained young activists in Nepal under the banner of Youth Leadership: Transparent Policy. The programme, which ran from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, received 350,000 USD in funding.
According to intelligence wing sources, financial records reveal that 51,671 USD was spent on staff salaries at IRI’s Washington office, 24,197 USD on fringe benefits, 37,235 USD on international and domestic travel, and 41,455 USD on contractual services including field staff salaries. Consultants, trainers, and research projects accounted for 67,600 USD, while 18,000 USD was distributed as small grants to local groups.
The IRI organised workshops for youth activists from across Nepal, targeting both politically affiliated and unaffiliated groups. The stated aim was to “strengthen youth political and civic participation as champions for democratic change” and build networks that could pressure political leaders for more accountability.
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“In its semi-annual narrative report, the NED mentioned Nepal’s centralised and unaccountable political structures with corruption. It mentioned that such conditions deepened public discontent, creating fertile ground for anti-government activism,” said an officer of Indian intelligence wing.
However, Indian intelligence assessments suggest the IRI’s activities went beyond civic training. Officials believe the organisation played a key role in preparing the ground for the youth-led agitation that rocked Prime Minister K P Oli’s government, which eventually collapsed earlier this month.
The IRI partnered with Kathmandu-based Solutions Consultant to conduct a “barrier analysis” of obstacles faced by Nepali youth in politics. It also worked with civil society organisations such as We for Change, the Center for Social Change and the Dalit Youth Alliance to identify participants for its Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA).
A major thrust of IRI’s operations was the use of social media. Documents show the institute tracked posts, likes, shares, WhatsApp messages and even phone calls among participants to monitor the growth of activist networks. Ahead of Nepal’s elections, IRI reportedly shifted its strategy after the election code of conduct restricted some of its activities.
The developments in Nepal mirror IRI and NDI’s (National Democratic Institute) long-term engagement in Bangladesh, where they had trained and financed students even after the controversial January 7 national polls. Their alleged role in channeling youth anger into organised street protests is now under the scanner in both Dhaka and Kathmandu.
While the US organisations defend their work as democracy promotion, regional observers warn that their interventions risk destabilising fragile political systems in South Asia – leaving behind volatile youth movements that could be manipulated by both domestic and foreign interests.
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