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Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
View from the Himalaya: India expects a firm stand on terrorism from Nepal
It is an everyday story of tens of thousands of Nepalis in the Terai plains. Countless numbers cross the open border – for work, shopping, tourism (including medical tourism), to meet family members, for pilgrimage and for many more reasons. One of the 26 killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 was a young Nepali. A resident of Rupandehi district on the border with Uttar Pradesh, Sudip Neupane had travelled with his sister and brother-in-law to Kashmir on a 'spontaneous' visit. Butwal, his home town, is only six hours away from Lucknow, four hours from Ayodhya and three hours from Gorakhpur. Nepal unequivocally condemned the attack. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the next day, both expressing condolences to each other for the lives lost. On April 30, Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge of the foreign affairs department of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a familiar face in political circles in Kathmandu, landed in Nepal. He met three key figures in office – Prime Minister Oli, home minister Ramesh Lekhak and foreign minister Arzu Deuba. He also paid courtesy calls to three former prime ministers – Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, all of whom also head their parties. The visit (and concurrent diplomatic exchanges) stressed on three key points, according to multiple insiders. That India will make military strikes on Pakistan – the date, nature and scale remained undisclosed; India wants its South Asian neighbours, and Nepal indeed, to realise they are an integral part of fight against terrorism; and there could be some pro-Pakistani protests in pockets in Terai should there be an escalation. When India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours on May 7, Kathmandu had by then seen a flurry of diplomatic and political engagements. On May 8, the foreign ministry issued a statement. 'The Government of Nepal,' it said, 'is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following terrorist attacks on innocent tourists in Pahalgam…in which a Nepali national also had lost his precious life. During this tragic period, Nepal and India stand in solidarity, united in shared grief and suffering.' Some expressed disappointment that Nepal had failed to name and unequivocally condemn Pakistan and support the Indian move, given the fact that a Nepali had also been killed and another injured in the terrorist attack. Others argued that Nepal had already condemned the Pahalgam attack and there was no need to issue a statement in the fog of border skirmishes, and claims and counterclaims. Some others said, neither India nor Pakistan was happy with the statement and Nepal could have chosen to stay silent ('strategic ambiguity'), not least as the current Saarc chair. The ongoing ceasefire ('cessation of hostilities', in Delhi's viewpoint) offers political space for reflection on the consequential Indian position vis-à-vis its South Asian neighbours and also their own response to India's. Nepal is a hard place to be. It has been historically plagued by small-state insecurities on the one hand and the need to stand with India against an act of terrorism and a fast-changing geopolitical context on the other. Here are some facts playing out on the ground. None of Nepal's senior political leaders have yet visited Sandeep Neupane's family, including finance minister Bishnu Poudel, who comes from PM's Oli party, the CPN-UML, a Communist party. Poudel, as importantly, is elected from that part of the country. New Delhi, meanwhile, has asked Nepal to demonstrate a firm position against what it regards as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, calling for a serious review of the traditional Nepali approach of treating India and Pakistan on a similar diplomatic footing. 'It should not be treated as business as usual' matter, which concludes with 'boiler-plate statements', says an Indian diplomat. 'Western and European powers can issue such platitudes', not those in the subcontinent. Nepal's 'mixed response' is, among others, rooted in its history. The idea that Nepal should consider itself a 'Yam between two boulders' has deeply influenced its national imagination since the 'unifier king' Prithivi Narayan imagined modern-day Nepal. The decades-long effort in the 18th century was a combination of conquests, guile and diplomacy, which subjugated more than 50 smaller states. Nepal, until the early 19th century, remained a major regional player. In very recent history, Kathmandu has housed the Saarc secretariat since 1987. Hence its default diplomatic position on thorny bilateral issues between India and Pakistan – both Saarc members – has been one of neutrality. That said, Nepalis are mindful of the fact that India has since grown to be the fifth-largest economy, poised to be the third largest and is governed by a Hindu revivalist party since 2013. New Delhi enjoys substantive diplomatic leverage in corridors of power in Kathmandu in bilateral forums. India is Nepal's largest trading partner and Indian ports are transit points to most of Nepal's trade, including with China. On multilateral forums in the region and beyond, India's diplomatic heft is far greater than that of the much troubled Pakistan. Will Pahalgam be the inflection point? Other than New Delhi, other powers – not least Beijing - are keeping a close eye on the developments in the neighbourhood. Akhilesh Upadhyay is former Editor-in-Chief of The Kathmandu Post and a Senior Fellow at Center for Strategic Affairs at IIDS, a Kathmandu-based think tank. Views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian envoy conveys condolences to Nepali victim's family of Pahalgam terror attack
Kathmandu [Nepal], May 11 (ANI): The Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, on Sunday met with the family of Sudip Neupane, a Nepali national who was among the 26 victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 During the meeting, the Ambassador conveyed his sincere condolences to the family. He assured them of the Indian government's commitment to fighting terrorism and bringing the perpetrators of the attack to justice. In a post on X, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu wrote, 'Ambassador @IndiaInNepal met the family of Late Sudip Neupane, a young Nepali national who was one of the 26 victims of the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India on 22 April 2025, and conveyed his sincere condolences.' 'He assured them of the Government of India's steadfast commitment towards the fight against #Terrorism & to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to justice. -- said India in Nepal,' the post added. On Saturday, India said that Pakistan has violated the understanding reached between the DGMOs of the two countries earlier in the day on stoppage of firing and military action, and that the Indian Army is retaliating and dealing with the border intrusions. Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India's air defence intercepted Pakistani drones on Saturday. Loud explosions were heard in Srinagar. A complete blackout has been enforced in Pathankot and Ferozepur in Punjab and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan. At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said this is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today and India takes 'very serious note of these violations'. India called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility. Misri said India's Armed Forces have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control. India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in reply to the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The terror attack had killed 26 people. India had struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan sought to up the ante with a series of unprovoked escalations using artillery guns and drones. (ANI)
News18
29-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Protests Outside Pakistan Embassy In Kathmandu Over Nepali National's Killing
Last Updated: Residents in Kathmandu protested outside the Pakistan embassy over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, including Nepali national Sudip Neupane. Massive protests broke out outside the Pakistan embassy in Nepal's Kathmandu on Tuesday, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, including one Nepali national. Dozens of youths carrying placards and posters of 27-year-old Sudip Neupane, who was killed in the attack, shouted anti-Pakistan slogans, demanding justice for the killed citizen. In other videos, Nepal residents were also seen demanding that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack be hanged until death. On April 26, similar protests were witnessed in Kathmandu against the Pahalgam attack. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party also organised a separate protest the same day outside the Pakistani embassy against the attack. Soon after the Pahalgam attack victims were identified, Nepal had announced its support to India in its fight against terrorism. Neupane from Butawal sub-metropolitan city of Western Nepal was among those killed in the attack claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-linked Lashkar-e-Taiba. First Published: April 29, 2025, 15:05 IST
United News of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Body of Nepalese man killed in Pahalgam terror attack taken back to Nepal by family
Kathmandu/New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) The body of a Nepalese man killed in the Pahalgam terror attack has been taken back to Nepal by his family, the Nepalese Ambassador in India Shankar P Sharma has said. In a post on X, the Ambassador also appreciated India for providing high-priority swift response to Nepal in helping with repatriation of the body. 'The body of Sudip Neupane, who lost his life in the heinous terror attack in J&K, reached Butwal this morning, along with 3 family members. 'They flew to Lucknow in a special flight from Delhi before traveling to Nepal by road. Appreciate India's high-priority swift response towards us.' Earlier, the ambassador strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 tourists were killed, including a Nepali national. PM Modi had offered condolences over the Nepali national's death during his phone conversation with Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli. 'Nepal strongly condemns the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K. We stand with India against such violence. 'Deeply saddened by the loss of Nepali citizen Sudip Neupane. Heartfelt condolences to his family & all affected. GON will provide all necessary assistance to his family,' Sharma had posted on X. UNI RN
News18
24-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Grandma, I'll Come To See You': Family Of Nepali Citizen Sudip, Killed In Pahalgam Attack, In Shock
Last Updated: Sudip Neupane, 27, was on a holiday with his family in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley when terrorists shot at them, leaving him dead and his mother injured. A Nepal citizen was among the 26 people who were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22. Sudip Neupane, 27, was on a holiday with his family in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley when terrorists shot at them, leaving him dead and his mother injured. Sudip, a resident of Rupandehi in Butwal region of Nepal, was on a vacation with his mother, sister, and brother-in-law. A public health student and an aspiring social worker, Sudip lived in Butwal with his mother, Rima, and sister. In Rupandehi, Sudip's grandfather, Khemananda Neaupane, told ANI that terrorists asked Sudip about his religion, and killed him after he told them he was Hindu. Sudip Neupane's grandmother, Sewakali Neupane, said," Earlier this morning, my son and daughter-in-law came to know about my grandson being killed, and then they informed us. I am in complete shock. They occasionally used to come here as they now reside in Kalika Nagar. He had visited me about four months back in January (Magh). While going back, he said, 'grandmother, if you fall ill, then inform me, I'll come to see you'." 'I also wish a speedy recovery to his mother, who was injured in the terrorist attack. We have also received news that they have arrived for a visit," she added. Deuba also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, saying, 'Condemning such a cruel and inhuman act is not enough. The Government of Nepal condemns this incident and stands with the Government of India and the people of India in this hour of grief. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch for further information about the incident." Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also paid his condolences to Sudip's family. 'Deepest condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Nepal stands firmly with India & strongly condemn any & all acts of terrorism. Close coordination is established to verify reports of a Nepali national among the victims & will provide all necessary assistance," he posted on X. First Published: April 24, 2025, 12:58 IST
