- By Ajeet Kumar
- Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday following violent Gen Z protests in the country. The protest so far claimed the lives of at least 19 protestors, and more than 300 were reported injured during violent clashes between the youngsters and the police. After Oli resigned, speculations rose whether his flight would land in New Delhi or take off for any Middle Eastern countries. Among the places that popped up in media reports is Dubai. However, neither of the government officials reacted to Oli’s whereabouts.
KP Sharma Oli’s controvesial relations with India
Oli served four terms, including the first term from October 2015 to August 2016, the second term from February 2018 to July 2021, and the last from July 15, 2024, to September 9, 2025.
ALSO READ: KP Sharma Oli’s Political Journey: A Look Back At Nepal PM's Controversies That Led To His Ouster
But none of his terms were appreciated by New Delhi. After becoming Nepal's Prime Minister in mid-July last year, Oli made some moves that strained relations with India. New Delhi was reportedly open to hosting Oli in August or September last year, but he set conditions that India couldn't accept. Oli wanted India to address a border dispute over the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh area during his visit.
(Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New York | CREDIT: PTI)
This region, located where India, Nepal, and Tibet meet, was claimed by Oli as Nepalese territory during his earlier term as Prime Minister (2018–2021). He even changed Nepal’s maps to include this Indian territory, stirring anti-India feelings in Nepal and accusing India of acting like a regional bully.
Why did India maintain distance from Oli?
India believes Oli raised this issue to distract from his mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis and to counter opposition within his own party. Since then, India’s leaders have been distrustful of Oli, suspecting he’s too close to China and often plays India against China to his advantage.
According to media reports, India might have welcomed Oli if he hadn’t brought up the border issue. His office insisted that India agree to form a joint group to settle the dispute, but India firmly says there’s no dispute— the territory is clearly Indian. By raising this, Oli crossed a line, and India decided not to invite him.
ALSO READ: Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Resigns After 19 Killed In Violent Gen Z Protests | What Led To His Ouster?
India's firm stance on border issues
Although media reports claimed Oli’s team promised he wouldn’t mention the border issue during a visit, India didn’t trust him. Oli also asked India to allow flights to and from two Nepalese airports— Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International— built by China, to use Indian airspace. India refused, as it had warned Nepal earlier, that choosing China for these projects would lead to this outcome.
(Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Kathmandu )
India told Nepal that while other deals, like those for power or flood control, could be discussed, the border issue and airspace for Chinese-built airports were non-negotiable. Oli didn’t fully agree to India’s terms and tried to dodge them, making India even more wary of his intentions. As a result, Oli still hasn’t received an invitation to visit India.
Earlier in July this year, Oli claimed he would be visiting India and that ground work was underway on both sides for the visit, news agency PTI reported. He, however, did not specify any time. Oli's comment about his visit to India comes amid speculations by some sections of local media that he didn't receive any invitation from India for an official visit, indicating that his relations with India became soured.
“I will probably embark on a visit to India. My visit to India will take place after the two sides do the necessary groundwork,” Oli had said in an interview to a Nepalese YouTube channel, Dishanirdesh TV, in July.
Did Oli stuck in balancing act with China?
However, his meeting hadn’t been confirmed by New Delhi. But his office claimed he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, PM Modi and Oli met on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4. Oli also dismissed rumours that India doesn't like him. India did nothing bad when I became the Prime Minister, he said.
In a different context, Oli pointed out, We have very good relations with both India and China.
India and China both are rising economic powers and it is good that our neighbours are moving in the path of development, he said, adding, Nepal may benefit from the spill over effect of their development.
(Chinese President Xi Jinping with Oli on the sidelines of the SCO Summit)
They (India and China) should focus attention on their development, but it is not good to be involved in cut-throat competition, Oli advised. There should be healthy competition between them. They should choose the path of cordial relations, but not a path that bears tension.
Answering a question how it will affect Nepal if tension prevails between its northern and southern neighbours, Oli said, Nepal will also benefit if there are good relations between India and China. We can benefit from cooperation and collaboration with them and also we may benefit from their big market.
(With inputs from agency)
