Current

In September 2025, Nepal experienced a nationwide protest movement led by youth, predominantly from Generation Z, in reaction to the government's prohibition of 26 significant social media platforms. This paper analyses the socio-economic and political structures influencing the protests through a structuralist perspective, focusing on elite dominance, systemic corruption, youth marginalisation, and institutional weaknesses. The movement resulted in 19 fatalities, the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, and the formation of an interim government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, illustrating the capacity of structural inequities to incite political upheaval. This article examines the mechanisms of digital mobilisation, the establishment of the transitional government, anti-corruption initiatives, and strategies for sustainable governance and development in Nepal.

This article analyses the 2025 reopening of the Lipulekh trade route between India and China, utilising a Realist perspective to assess its strategic implications for Nepal. This paper utilises a qualitative case study approach rooted in Classical and Structural Realism to examine how the bilateral agreement illustrates power politics, spheres of influence, and the geopolitical vulnerabilities faced by Nepal. This study utilises historical context, strategic interest analysis, and policy review to illustrate that the reopening presents opportunities for regional trade yet poses risks of marginalising Nepal and compromising its sovereignty. The article concludes with policy recommendations for Nepal to effectively navigate the challenging environment via diplomatic diversification and strategic engagement. The findings contribute to the literature on small-state security dilemmas, demonstrating how middle-power bargaining can result in the exclusion of weaker neighbours from essential regional processes.