Sushila Karki Sworn in as Nepal’s First Woman

Syllabus :GS 2/IR

In News

• Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s first woman Prime Minister.

Background 

• Nepal President dissolved Parliament announcing fresh elections for March 5, 2026. 
• This decision followed intense Gen Z-led protests that ousted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, triggered by corruption, misrule, and a controversial social media ban. 
• Chief Justice Sushila Karki’s appointment, backed by protesters, came after extended consultations involving legal experts, political leaders, and the Army. 

Brief overview of India-Nepal Relations

• Nepal shares a border with 5 Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 
• The age-old civilizational and cultural ties that exist between India and Nepal are exemplified by the strong people to people link between both the countries.
  • Nepal is a priority partner of India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy.

Defence & Security Cooperation:

• India and Nepal have long standing and extensive mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of defence and security. 
• Both nation’s armies share excellent and harmonious relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
  • India and Nepal also have the long-standing tradition of awarding the Honorary rank of General to each others’ Army Chief.
  • The strong relations between both the armies have been further cemented via the Gorkha Regiment.
• Nepal is strategically important as it is located between India and China.

Developmental partnership

• India’s development partnership with Nepal includes extensive human resource cooperation, offering over 1,500 scholarships annually for studies in diverse fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, and traditional arts.
• Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program encompasses training, consultancy, study tours, and feasibility studies of Nepali professionals. 

Economic and Commercial cooperation 

• India is Nepal’s largest trade and investment partner, accounting for 33.5% of Nepal’s total FDI (USD 670 million) and 64.1% of its overall trade (USD 8.85 billion in FY 2022–23). 
• Nepal ranks as India’s 17th largest export destination, with Indian exports totaling USD 8.015 billion and Nepalese exports to India at USD 839.62 million. 
• India receives 67.9% of Nepal’s exports, mainly edible oil, coffee, tea, and jute, while Nepal imports petroleum products, iron and steel, cereals, vehicles, and machinery from India.
  • Around 150 Indian ventures operate in Nepal across manufacturing, services, energy, and tourism sectors.
• India imports surplus electricity from Nepal.

People-to-People Ties

• Over 8 million Nepali diaspora in India (workers, students, professionals).
• Religious linkages: Pashupatinath Temple (Nepal), Janakpur (Sita’s birthplace), and Bodh Gaya (India).

Source : TH