India and Nepal Hold First Talks After Gen-Z Protests; Key Issues on Agenda

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): For the first time since the violent “Gen-Z” protests that led to the fall of KP Oli’s government in Nepal, India and Nepal are set to hold high-level talks to strengthen border security and cooperation. The annual coordination meeting between the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) of India and Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal will begin on Wednesday.

Focus of the Meeting

The discussion will focus on:

Preventing cross-border crimes

Enhancing real-time intelligence sharing

Establishing effective joint mechanisms for border management

Ensuring peace and security along the 1,751 km open India-Nepal border

Background: Gen-Z Protests and Political Turmoil in Nepal

In September, violent protests led by Generation Z activists in Kathmandu forced the collapse of KP Oli’s government. The unrest claimed several lives and caused severe damage to public and private properties.

Estimated public infrastructure losses: over 100 billion Nepali rupees

Private sector losses: estimated at over 80 billion Nepali rupees

This week’s dialogue marks the first official interaction between India and Nepal after those events.

Key Representatives and Meeting Schedule

The 9th Annual Coordination Meeting will take place from November 12 to 14, 2025.

SSB Director General Sanjay Singhal will lead the Indian delegation.

APF Inspector General Raju Aryal will represent Nepal.

An SSB statement noted that both sides aim to improve coordination mechanisms for faster and more reliable intelligence exchange to curb border crimes and promote peaceful coexistence.

The last meeting between the two forces was held in Kathmandu in November 2024. The SSB, operating under India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for guarding both the India-Nepal (1,751 km) and India-Bhutan (699 km) borders.

Nepal’s Political Outlook

Nepal is scheduled to hold general elections next year. Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki recently assured the international community that her administration is committed to conducting parliamentary elections within six months and handing over power to a newly elected government.