International Relations and Foreign Affairs

News Brief

May witnessed several notable developments in Nepal’s international engagements. A series of diplomatic meetings and summits brought together senior political figures and foreign policy actors from China, India, Japan, and beyond.

The month began with BJP foreign affairs department head Vijay Chauthaiwale visiting Kathmandu, meeting key leaders across party lines, reflecting India’s continued emphasis on party-to-party diplomacy. 

Meanwhile, Nepal awaited an official response from the United States on the fate of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant amid growing uncertainties following global restructuring efforts. 

One of the most anticipated events of the month, the Sagarmatha Sambad, a high-level dialogue on climate change and mountain ecosystems, was inaugurated on May 16. Despite the absence of foreign heads of state, the event drew participation from climate experts, civil society representatives, and delegations from several countries. In a curious diplomatic gesture, China’s delegation avoided using the Nepali name “Sagarmatha” and opted instead for the Tibetan term “Qomolangma,” raising eyebrows among Nepali observers. 

In another key event, Nepal chaired the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) council meeting in Beijing, promoting nature-based climate solutions.

Toward the end of the month, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba met with her Japanese counterpart in Tokyo, urging increased Japanese investment in Nepal’s infrastructure and green economy. 

In diaspora affairs, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially recognized Mahesh Shrestha as the legitimate leader of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), settling an internal leadership dispute.

News Analysis 

Bhandari in Beijing & Sagarmatha at Risk: China’s Political Messaging in May

Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s two-week-long visit to China in May highlighted the debate over her political future and Nepal’s increasingly complicated relationship with Beijing. Ostensibly a visit led by the CPN-UML, the delegation also included federal ministers from the current government, blurring lines between party and state in ways that contradict Nepal’s democratic principles and constitutional norms.

Bhandari, who served two terms as Nepal’s President, has made clear her intention to re-enter active politics—an unusual but not unprecedented move. However, her renewed presence in party affairs, and now on international missions, signals a deeper ambition: to steer not only the CPN-UML’s trajectory but potentially to lead a new wave of communist realignment. China’s red-carpet treatment of Bhandari, including high-level meetings with party officials, but conspicuously not with President Xi Jinping, suggests Beijing is investing in her as a political figure, but with cautious calculation.

Observers in Nepal have been critical of this quasi-governmental delegation, noting the constitutional impropriety of fusing party diplomacy with state representation. In a democracy, the separation between state institutions and political parties is foundational. That the CPN-UML chose to overlook this norm, and that ministers participated in an overtly partisan delegation, raises serious concerns about internal governance as well as the nature of Nepal-China political interactions.

What makes this visit even more notable is its proximity to the Sagarmatha Sambad—a flagship international dialogue hosted by Nepal. Although billed as a neutral, climate-focused event, China’s subtle political messaging stood out. During the forum, Chinese delegates pointedly avoided using the word “Sagarmatha,” Nepal’s name for Mount Everest, and instead opted for “Qomolangma,” its Tibetan name. The move, while minor on the surface, was widely interpreted as a symbolic assertion of China’s cultural-political narrative, subtly undermining Nepal’s sovereign terminology even on its own soil.

Together, these developments underscore a broader pattern: China continues to exert political influence in Nepal, not only through government-to-government ties but by aligning with favorable political actors and shaping narratives. As Bhandari positions herself for a possible political comeback—perhaps as a unifying figure within the communist bloc—China appears to be hedging its bets early. But in doing so, it risks stoking further controversy within Nepal’s already fragile democratic discourse.

Domestic Politics and Federalism

News Brief

On May 2, 2025, President Ramchandra Paudel presented the government's policies and programs for the fiscal year 2025–26 during a joint session of Parliament. Key initiatives include reassessing and potentially scrapping unviable infrastructure projects, overhauling the tax system to promote industrialization and investment, and establishing a digital bank to advance cashless transactions. The government also plans to expand green energy initiatives, such as developing multipurpose hydropower projects and initiating the commercial production of green hydrogen. 

Nepal celebrated its 17th Republic Day on May 28 with a grand ceremony at the Nepal Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. The event featured military parades, cultural performances, and a flower shower from a Nepal Army helicopter. President Ram Chandra Paudel, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and other high-ranking officials attended the ceremony, paying tribute to the martyrs who contributed to the establishment of the republic. The day commemorates the abolition of the 240-year monarchy and the declaration of Nepal as a federal democratic republic on May 28, 2008. Celebrations were held across the country and in Nepali embassies abroad, reflecting on the nation's journey toward democracy and social justice.

A pro-monarchy protest erupted in Kathmandu on May 28, with demonstrators demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and a Hindu state. Organized by groups including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and RPP-Nepal, the rally gathered momentum in key areas such as Maitighar and New Baneshwar. Protesters chanted slogans against republicanism and federalism, calling for a return to the 1990 constitution. The demonstration marked a growing wave of dissatisfaction with the current political system. 

A major human trafficking network operating through Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport has been uncovered, involving immigration officials, airline staff, travel agencies, and even personnel from the Home Ministry. Investigations revealed that forged documents were used to send individuals abroad under the guise of visit visas, with many victims ending up in Gulf countries for labor purposes. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is leading the probe, which has also implicated senior officials from the Home Ministry and the Home Minister's Secretariat. Despite previous efforts to curb such activities, the persistence of these operations highlights systemic issues within Nepal's immigration and law enforcement agencies.

News Analysis

Rift in coalition, or just another month of Nepali politics?

May 2025 was another classic episode in Nepal’s political theatre. It was full of rifts, allegations, and confusion, but with no real consequence to the survival of the coalition government. The month laid bare the growing distrust between CPN-UML’s KP Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, triggered by the prolonged delay in appointing the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. While Deuba publicly defended Oli, reports suggest the NC's insistence on the position of governor left Oli displeased, once again revealing the fault lines within the ruling alliance. However, the two veterans finally came together and appointed Dr. Biswo Nath Paudel as the governor. 

Adding fuel to the fire, the opposition dragged the Home Minister/NC leader, Ramesh Lekhak, into the immigration scam scandal, alleging his involvement. Though Lekhak has denied the charges, the controversy has dented the coalition’s already fragile credibility. At the same time, leaders from both major parties, Congress and UML, have taken to attacking one another more openly, exposing internal factionalism and dissatisfaction with leadership.

Criticism of the coalition is now coming from all directions: civil society, the media, the opposition, and even from within. Yet, despite the political infighting, mutual distrust, and policy paralysis, the coalition somehow continues to survive. This survival is less a sign of strength than of shared political vulnerability: none of the partners can afford a fresh alliance, and each is wary of what lies outside this power-sharing arrangement.

In the end, May didn’t bring the coalition down—it simply reminded the public that dysfunction is now routine. What would count as a crisis in most democracies is merely Tuesday in Kathmandu. The coalition limps on, scandal-ridden and squabbling, yet bound together by the fear of falling apart.

Environment  and Climate Change

News Brief

May 2025 witnessed a surge in global and national climate discourse, with a series of  environmental developments and landmark events. Globally, May was declared the second warmest on record, with atmospheric CO₂ levels reaching the highest point in human history, which emphasizes the urgency of climate action.

The World Health Organization issued an evident warning, labeling the climate emergency a global health crisis already taking lives, while the 78th World Health Assembly emphasized the critical health risks tied to a warming planet.

Amid these developments, Nepal emerged as a pivotal climate actor by hosting the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025, an international dialogue on climate resilience and mountain ecosystems. Attended by 175 global delegates, the summit concluded with a comprehensive 25-point Call to Action, placing Nepal at the heart of mountain diplomacy and global climate cooperation. A pre-dialogue in Thame issued a five-point declaration centered on indigenous knowledge and youth inclusion, reinforcing Nepal’s grassroots-led approach. The UNDP Administrator’s keynote address further highlighted Nepal’s leadership in voicing the concerns of vulnerable nations.

Parallel to diplomacy, Nepal showcased strong civil and youth engagement UNDP Nepal honored Youth Champions for summiting peaks to promote plastic-free living, while UNESCO gathered scientists, journalists, and students in Nepal to advance environmental journalism. However, concerns over environmental governance surfaced as the Pathivara cable car project faced backlash for a flawed EIA. The project, in a sacred site for Indigenous Yakthung (Limbu) communities, threatens biodiversity and spiritual heritage, with critics alleging more than 40,000 trees may have been cut, far exceeding the figures stated in the assessment report.   Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and WHO Nepal co-hosted a regional dialogue on nutrition and climate change, addressing the vulnerabilities of mountain communities, especially women and children.

On the global front, the Nice Ocean Conference and UN biodiversity reports sounded alarms over rapid biodiversity loss and melting glaciers, particularly in fragile regions like the Himalayas. New climate dialogues in Tajikistan  and a global push to end plastic pollution highlighted the widespread urgency for sustainable solutions. Overall, the month captured the intensifying impacts of climate change while spotlighting Nepal’s proactive blend of diplomacy, policy action, and civic leadership in shaping a more resilient and inclusive global climate response.

News Analysis

Nepal’s Sagarmatha Sambaad Was a Diplomatic Moment - But Did We Miss a Bigger Opportunity?

As the world confronts record-breaking temperatures and unprecedented climate disruptions, countries like Nepal find themselves at the center of the catastrophe geographically, politically, and morally. In May 2025, the EU climate monitor confirmed that it was the second warmest May on record, while global CO₂ levels soared to their highest in human history. These developments are not abstract numbers for Nepal; they translate into faster glacier melt, erratic monsoons, climate-induced migration, and devastating consequences for our mountain communities.

Amidst this growing crisis, Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025 was Nepal’s attempt to elevate its voice on the world stage. With 175 foreign delegates gathered in Kathmandu to discuss mountain resilience and climate cooperation, the Sambaad was, without doubt, a milestone for Nepal’s climate diplomacy. It ended with a 25-point Call to Action and amplified long-standing concerns about the Himalayas’ fragility. But while we rightly celebrate this moment, we must also ask: Did we do enough to position Nepal as a true climate leader, not just a victim of climate injustice?

The answer is mixed.

On one hand, the symbolism of Nepal, home to Mount Everest, convening a global dialogue on mountain ecosystems was powerful. We brought attention to a region often overlooked in international climate discourse. However, on the other hand, the Sambaad lacked the strategic depth and continuity needed to convert that symbolism into sustained influence.

Unlike major platforms like COP or the  G77 summits, Sagarmatha Sambaad is not embedded in formal multilateral processes. The outcomes, while thoughtful, remain non-binding and without mechanisms for accountability or integration into global negotiations. For Nepal, a country disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing just 0.027% (NDC 3.0) to global emissions, we need more than dialogues. We need diplomatic weight.

Why wasn’t there a stronger South-South cooperation framework for mountainous regions? Why weren’t indigenous communities and frontline voices given the center stage in plenary sessions, rather than being sidelined to parallel events? These are not missed chances, they are missed leverage.

Moreover, Nepal’s credibility took a hit when news broke that a cable car project had been pushed forward without proper environmental review, raising uncomfortable questions about our own environmental governance. But yet, hope remains. The energy from the UNDP Youth Champions who scaled peaks for a plastic-free future, or the UNESCO event bringing scientists and students together to advance environmental journalism in Nepal, reflects that we have the local momentum. But it must be matched by high-level vision. Sagarmatha Sambaad should not be a one-off symbolic summit. It must evolve into a permanent platform for policy negotiation, innovation exchange, and mountain diplomacy, one that feeds directly into the UNFCCC and other global frameworks.

Nepal has the moral authority, the geographical legitimacy, and the political moment. What it needs now is the strategic foresight to transform moral appeal into institutional power. Nepal must go beyond one-time summits. To lead in climate diplomacy, we must institutionalize Sagarmatha Sambaad, integrate grassroots voices, and push for concrete policy outcomes. Nepal has the moral authority, the geographical legitimacy, and the political moment. What it needs now is the strategic foresight to transform moral appeal into institutional power.

Gender, Social Inclusion and Human Rights

News Brief

The Gandaki suspended ride-sharing rules for a month following pressure from transport entrepreneurs and federal directives. The decision, led by Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, aims to allow further dialogue. In response, transport entrepreneurs ended their nationwide strike and resumed services. 

UNFPA and Manakamana Darshan Pvt Ltd join forces to raise awareness on gender-based violence on 20 May 2025 in Kathmandu to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) and enhance community engagement. Over two years, they will jointly implement advocacy and capacity-building activities to create safer, more inclusive public spaces and empower women and girls with critical information on GBV, referral mechanisms, and reintegration opportunities. GBV messaging, training, and employment support will also be integrated into the operations of the Manakamana Cable Car. 

Amnesty International’s Annual Reports flagged a troubling decline in Nepal’s human rights landscape. It cited excessive force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of free speech. The report highlights Nepal as a country where human rights are worsening due to declining human rights amid global trends of repression, impunity, and deep-rooted discrimination, marked by violence against protesters, suppression of free speech, and continued marginalization of women, LGBTI individuals, Dalits, and squatters. 

Italy's Constitutional Court ruled that both women in a same-sex couple can be recognized as parents on a child’s birth certificate. The court deemed it unconstitutional to deny parental rights to the non-biological mother. LGBTQ+ advocates hailed it as a historic win for civil rights. 

A UN Women report warns that half of women-led organizations in crisis zones may shut down within six months due to funding cuts, threatening vital services for millions. In a survey of 411 groups across 44 countries, 90% reported reduced aid, with over 60% already cutting essential services, including healthcare, GBV support, and shelter. 

U.K. court’s transgender ruling stated that “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer only to biological sex, sparking backlash from transgender activists who called it harmful and degrading. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, once supportive of trans rights, welcomed the ruling. Protests erupted nationwide, including vandalism of a suffragist statue. Critics argue the decision threatens trans rights and privacy, with lawsuits now being prepared, including one by the UK’s first transgender judge appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. 

News Analysis

Transport entrepreneurs halt services in Gandaki and conflict with fundamental rights

The Gandaki Province government introduced the Ride-Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulation 2082 on May 15, 2025, aiming to legalize and manage ride-sharing services through an online system. The regulation sets conditions for vehicle eligibility, insurance, permits, signage, safety, and fare structure, allowing only two- and four-wheeled vehicles under specified age limits. Transport entrepreneurs, under the "Public Transport Protection Struggle Committee," protested demanding the cancellation of 'Ride Sharing' regulations, transporters staged a protest in Kathmandu and demanding full withdrawal of the regulation, policy clarity on public transport, and social security for workers. 

Following pressure and a directive from the federal government, Gandaki Province suspended the regulation’s implementation for a month. The strike ended after the province agreed to further dialogue. This raises legal concerns as it appears to contradict Sections 8 and 12 of the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 2049 (1993):

Section 8 defines private vehicles as those registered for personal use only.

Section 12 prohibits using a vehicle for a purpose other than that for which it was registered.

Without a clear legal provision to reclassify or authorize such dual use, the provincial regulation may be ultra vires, conflicting with federal law. Although the Supreme Court (2019) and the Patan High Court (2020) directed the government not to ban ride-sharing and to establish legal frameworks, these decisions did not authorize the commercial use of private vehicles without proper legal backing. This event also raises essential questions about how to resolve conflicts among fundamental rights. 

While the protestors were exercising their right to peaceful assembly under Article 17, the strike was also encroaching on other fundamental rights of the general public, the right to education (Article 31) of students, the right to employment (Article 33), and the right to labour (Article 34). A week-long public transport halt made a hard impact on day-to-day life, as widespread transport disruptions stranded hundreds of commuters halfway along their journeys. Additionally, the suspension of public transport led to an immediate surge in ride-sharing service prices, prompting complaints from commuters who faced both inconvenience and financial burden. This highlights the pressing need for a legal and policy framework that ensures the balanced exercise of rights, preventing one group's rights from disproportionately infringing upon those of others.