In response to the escalating situation in Nepal, the Congress party has expressed its concern and is advocating a "wait-and-watch" approach for India. According to Salman Khurshid, the Congress's foreign affairs department chairperson and a former external affairs minister, it is crucial for India to "understand, absorb, and certainly take lessons from what has happened."
Khurshid acknowledged that the events in Nepal are a matter of concern for every Indian citizen due to the "deep-seated relations" between the two countries. He noted that many of Nepal's leaders were educated in India and many have relatives there, adding that India has a strong interest in its neighbour and its people. He reiterated India's traditional support for Nepal's democracy.
Khurshid's comments follow a day of severe political crisis in Nepal, where Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid widespread protests. Demonstrators had stormed government buildings, setting fire to the Parliament, the prime minister's residence, and the homes of several high-profile leaders. These events occurred a day after violence resulted in 19 deaths.
The "Gen Z" protests, which were initiated by students, began as a reaction to a government ban on social media but quickly evolved into a broader movement. The protests reflect growing public criticism of the Oli government and the political elite over allegations of corruption and indifference to the public.
Khurshid described the situation as "painful" and "unfortunate", stating that Indians can only "pray and hope for the best for Nepal and that peace returns to its streets as quickly as possible." He emphasised that the Nepalese people must find their own solutions, expressing hope that they can resolve the situation quickly for the benefit of both countries.
Also Read: Fresh protests rock Nepal as calls grow for PM Oli to quit
He highlighted that India shares a porous border with Nepal, making anything that happens there a matter of concern. However, he stressed that the primary concern is for the future of the Nepalese people and their democracy. Khurshid stated there is not much India can do at present other than hope for the best and that the government has a plan to offer assistance.
He added that for now, India must "wait and watch", doing so "very closely, very carefully, very sympathetically." He expressed hope that no one would try to create trouble for India or Indians, as the relationship and commitment to Nepal's democracy are too important.
Regarding the lessons India should learn, Khurshid said that countries in the region learn from each other's experiences. He noted that anything impacting a neighbour will indirectly impact India as well. He stressed the importance of understanding and absorbing the events and drawing lessons from them.
Also Read: Nepal Gen Z protests social media ban; 20 dead, over 300 injured
He pointed out that generational changes are occurring globally, and India must learn how to respond to a new generation, especially when issues arise with social media. He concluded that while social media has both good and bad aspects, it is a reality of modern democracy that cannot be ignored, and learning how to deal with it is an important lesson.
On Wednesday, the Nepal Army imposed nationwide restrictive orders and a curfew to prevent further violence. The army, which took control of national security on Tuesday night after incidents of arson and vandalism, announced that the restrictive orders would be in effect until 5 p.m., followed by a curfew until 6 a.m. on Thursday. The capital, Kathmandu, was deserted as soldiers guarded the streets and enforced the orders for people to stay home. This came after protesters had set fire to Parliament, the president's office, and other key government and political buildings.
Also Read: Why Nepal banned social media, but protests go beyond the ban
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