Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences and reaffirmed India's support for peace in Nepal during a phone call with Nepal's new interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki. The conversation occurred in the wake of violent protests in Nepal.
The unrest in Nepal, largely led by Gen Z activists, was triggered by alleged corruption and restrictions on social media imposed by the previous government. The protests escalated, leading to clashes between protesters and police, resulting in numerous casualties. Government buildings were set on fire, including the parliament and Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned.
In response to the crisis, a state of emergency was declared, and the army was deployed to restore order. Sushila Karki, the former Chief Justice, was appointed as the head of an interim government tasked with organizing fresh elections. The polls are scheduled for March 5.
During the phone call, PM Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of lives during the violent protests. He emphasized India's commitment to supporting Nepal's efforts to restore peace and stability. Modi also extended greetings to Karki and the people of Nepal on their National Day.
PM Modi expressed confidence that Karki would pave the way for peace and stability in Nepal, appreciating those who upheld democratic values during the instability. He also acknowledged the efforts of young Nepalis cleaning and painting the streets, highlighting their dedication and positive mindset as a sign of Nepal's resurgence.
The international community has also urged dialogue and investigations into the violence. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed sadness over the loss of life and called for restraint, dialogue, and a thorough investigation into the violence. He also emphasized the need for authorities to comply with human rights law and ensure that protests take place peacefully.
Several organizations have called on all stakeholders in Nepal to uphold the rule of law and international human rights obligations as the interim government takes charge. They stressed the importance of addressing impunity, governance, and corruption through a process under the rule of law.
Nepal has declared a national day of mourning to honor those killed during the protests. The government has also decided to build a 'Gen-Z Memorial Park' in memory of the victims. Authorities have begun assessing the damage caused by the protests and collecting details of vehicles burnt during the violence.