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Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) organized a webinar to discuss Balen’s current governance in Nepal on 29 April 2026 (Wednesday). This important discussion brought together 26 diplomats, policymakers, scholars and experts from 25 countries, including India, the USA, Japan, Bangladesh, China and Nepal, who shared global perspectives on the leadership of Balen Shah and the evolving political landscape of Nepal.

Pankaj Saran, Convenor of NatStrat and Former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, described the 2026 election outcome as a “fresh beginning” for Nepal, marking a new phase after the post-monarchy transition. He noted that the Gen Z revolution of September 2025 translated into a well-organized election where the old guard was largely pushed aside by a younger generation of parliamentarians, cabinet members, and a very young Prime Minister, generating enormous enthusiasm and high expectations. However, he cautioned that Nepal faces economic and social challenges due to external shocks like the Iran and Ukraine wars, and that the new government’s task is to mitigate these issues. Regarding India–Nepal relations, Saran emphasized that India was not a factor in the election—the vote was fought on livelihoods, which he saw as a welcome change. He called for both governments to quickly sit together to address lingering legacy issues while shaping a redefined, ambitious relationship with fresh ideas. He stressed the importance of people-to-people contacts, urging greater student exchanges, trade, and flow of ideas so that young Nepal and young India can shape their shared future. While acknowledging the structural problem of trade imbalance given the asymmetry in economy sizes, he argued that regional cooperation—not hostility or suspicion—is essential, and expressed optimism that Nepal’s sustainable, rapid growth at or above India’s 7–8% target would benefit both countries and regional stability.

Manjeev Singh Puri, former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, emphasized that Nepal’s political transformation is being shaped by globalization, migration, social media, and the rising aspirations of younger generations. He stressed that India–Nepal relations are uniquely rooted in shared civilization, geography, culture, and deep people-to-people connections, making the relationship far more than just political. He highlighted the importance of focusing on economic cooperation, connectivity, trade, and mutual benefit, rather than short-term political narratives. He also noted that Nepal’s progress and sustainable growth would positively contribute to regional stability and prosperity, while emphasizing the vast untapped potential in bilateral relations.

Dr. Zhang Jiadong of China stated that Nepal’s Gen Z protest was reported in a very neutral and pragmatic manner and was described as a domestic government crisis. He described Nepal’s leadership as a symbol of youth power and national change. Jiadong reaffirmed China’s constant support towards Nepal’s sovereignty and stability and admiration towards youth leadership and the anti-corruption movement. He expressed Balen’s government as a fresh, hopeful figure capable of positive change and highlighted the importance of collaborative areas, including BRI projects like cross-border roads, power cooperation projects and people-to- people related areas as areas of possible collaboration and cooperation between both states.

Dr. Rob York, Director for Regional Affairs at the Pacific Forum, USA, stated that the United States prioritizes long-term stability over short-term political maneuvering, while recognizing Nepal’s balancing approach between China and India as a practical necessity; he emphasized that despite geopolitical complexities, the U.S. continues to maintain active interest and engagement with Nepal.

Satoru Nagao, a non-resident fellow at Hudson Institute, emphasized that China’s growing presence in the region—economically and strategically—raises concerns for Japan, especially in countries like Nepal. He noted that Nepal’s geography and historical ties naturally place it closer to India, making any strong tilt toward China appear “unnatural” from a geopolitical standpoint. According to him, Japan prefers Nepal to maintain balanced and cooperative relations, particularly with India, as Japan itself maintains a pro-India stance and values stability in South Asia. Nagao also suggested that increasing Chinese involvement could bring risks such as corruption and strategic pressure, which Japan views cautiously. Overall, he indicated that Japan supports cordial cooperation with both Nepal and India while quietly resisting China’s expanding influence in the region.

Cynthia Petrigh, former UN Peace Advisor to Nepal and Distinguished Fellow at NIICE, highlighted that Nepal’s recent Gen Z revolution was remarkable not only for its horizontal format but also for its horizontal aspirations, uniting the entire population around shared concerns like corruption, accountability, development, and public services. She noted that after young protesters physically ejected the elderly, corrupt, all-male, high-caste political class, the whole population confirmed this national revolution a second time through the ballot on Falgun 21 (March 5). Praising Nepal’s extraordinary political innovation, she pointed specifically to the overlooked but critical role of female leader Sushila Karki, stating that no one on earth has pulled off the peaceful democratic transition she secured, a feat she described as more remarkable than the battles between young male leaders like Rabi and Balen. Petrigh also celebrated that Nepal elected a transgender member of parliament and a 35-year-old former rapper as prime minister who does not belong to the upper Brahmin caste. Her two big lessons: first, the emergence of a generation embracing intersectionality that challenges kleptocratic elites at a time when youth were dismissed as apolitical; and second, that Nepal will always surprise the world in a good way.

Petro Burkovskiy, Executive Director of Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Ukraine, said Nepal is mostly seen in Ukraine through big global media like Reuters, Bloomberg, and Financial Times, so how Nepal is reported there really shapes its image. He suggests Nepal should communicate better with the international media. He also noted that Ukrainian media gives a fairly balanced view and sees Nepal’s new Prime Minister, Balen Shah, as a young, anti-corruption leader. Overall, Nepal is viewed positively, but coverage is still limited so there’s room to tell its story better.

Dr. Hebatallah Adam, Professor at Horizon University College, UAE, highlighted that emerging leadership is increasingly coming from outside traditional political elites and is characterized by direct, modern communication with citizens. She noted that such leadership is gaining global attention as an example of evolving political norms, particularly for its role in expanding public participation and promoting more inclusive, responsive governance. Portrayed positively in international media, this shift contributes to broader debates about future expectations from governments and signals a redefinition of political legitimacy and leadership in the modern era.

Sausan Shareef, International Affairs Expert from the Maldives, observed that leadership in developing countries is increasingly judged by its ability to deliver practical services and respond effectively to public needs. She noted that Nepal’s leadership is widely perceived as youth-driven, reform-oriented, and action-focused, reflecting a broader global trend in which citizens demand less bureaucracy and more responsive governance. According to her, younger generations are playing a growing role in shaping political outcomes, contributing to a leadership style that is viewed internationally as hopeful, inclusive, and reform-focused, with optimism about its potential to enhance long-term stability and development. However, she cautioned that sustaining such reforms remains a significant challenge due to weak institutional frameworks, the risk of over-reliance on individual leaders rather than strong systems, and the difficulty of consistently meeting high public expectations in governance.

Dr. Aamna Khan, an independent researcher from Pakistan, noted that Nepal is viewed positively in Pakistan as a peaceful and friendly nation, with particular respect for its independent foreign policy and balanced relations with major neighbors such as India and China. She highlighted that Nepal is often seen as a valuable model for regional cooperation and diplomatic balance, while Pakistan tends to assess Nepal’s government pragmatically based on stability, economic performance, and tangible outcomes rather than ideology. She added that Nepal’s progress in digital modernization and inclusive development could further enhance its appeal in Pakistan. Emphasizing the need to deepen bilateral ties, she suggested revitalizing diplomatic engagement through regular official dialogues, strengthening educational cooperation through scholarships and university partnerships, and promoting people-to-people, cultural, and economic exchanges, including improved connectivity such as direct flights.

Joëlle Hivonnet highlighted that Nepal’s recent democratic transition is important but comes with major challenges. People, especially youth, are frustrated due to corruption, nepotism, and lack of jobs, forcing many to go abroad. Nepal’s economy depends heavily on remittances, which are not sustainable. Social media helped amplify public frustration and demand for change. While new political leadership and programs (like job creation and digital development) are promising, it will be difficult for the government to deliver results quickly, which may lead to further disappointment.

Barbara Kratiuk highlights that European countries, including Poland, are increasingly interested in strengthening cooperation and economic ties with Nepal, particularly in digitalization, supported by a growing Nepali diaspora and goodwill built after the 2015 Nepal earthquake. The formation of a majority government is seen as a positive step in breaking political deadlock, but there are doubts about its ability to deliver on ambitious goals like reaching a $100 billion GDP by 2031. Challenges include managing a delicate balance between China and India through pragmatic neutrality, limited foreign policy experience among new leaders, and the risk that Gen Z-driven political momentum may fade without quick, visible results. While there are clear opportunities for expanding trade and digital partnerships with Europe, the government faces a short honeymoon period, with growing pressure to demonstrate strong economic performance and deliver tangible outcomes.

George Cooke, founder chairman of Awarelogue Asian Institute, Colombo, explained that Nepal’s situation reflects a wider global wave of political uprisings, similar to those seen in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where public anger drives political change but is difficult to sustain over time. He emphasized that merely changing leadership is not enough; meaningful reform requires deep, long-term institutional transformation. A major obstacle is the rigid and resistant bureaucracy, along with deeply rooted corruption that cannot be quickly eliminated after elections. For reforms to succeed, both leadership and bureaucratic mindsets must evolve, and resistant or corrupt elements need to be addressed; otherwise, old problems are likely to re-emerge. Ultimately, effective governance depends on how well leadership understands and manages bureaucratic structures to implement lasting policy changes.

Dr. Sahab Eman Khan, executive director at the Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, highlighted Nepal’s recent political developments, praising the speed and efficiency of the election and government formation. Although he believes the new political forces may grow stronger, he cautioned that this shift carries risks, even as he commended Balen Shah for his personal integrity as a reflection of public aspirations turning into reality, and criticized the current government’s overreliance on platforms like Facebook, lack of formal institutional practices like regular meetings, and absence of an ideological foundation.

Dr. Wondeuk Cho of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy noted that Korean media have broadly welcomed Nepal's recent government change, describing Balen Shah's leadership as a "storm in Nepalese political history." He observed that South Korean newspapers have positively highlighted Shah's record as Kathmandu mayor—particularly on waste management, healthcare, and anti-corruption—and that some Korean scholars have compared him to late Korean civic mobilization figures as an example of independent leadership. However, Dr. Cho also sounded a cautionary note from a Korean perspective: the rapid resignations of Nepal's home minister (over financial misconduct) and labor minister (for nepotism) reflect a pattern Korea has witnessed repeatedly since 1987, where movement leaders entering institutional politics are quickly co-opted into old structures. He concluded that sustainable reform cannot be achieved in a single election victory; democracy must be defended by each generation, and Nepal's new government faces the critical challenge of institutionalizing its reformist agenda to avoid repeating Korea's past struggles.

Dr. Hadza Min Fadhli Robby of Universitas Islam Indonesia noted that Nepal’s 2026 election, which brought Balen Shah to power, has ousted legacy coalition politics and replaced it with a single party holding a supermajority—a positive sign for future stability and policy delivery, especially in digital governance. He described Balen’s youth, engineering background, and commitment to a clean government as uncommon but promising for accelerating bilateral ties between Indonesia and Nepal. However, he emphasized that to realize this potential, concrete steps are needed, including upgrading Indonesia’s consulate in Kathmandu to a full embassy, finalizing direct Garuda flights, and promoting joint ventures in hydropower, digital banking, and Buddhist heritage tourism (linking Lumbini and Borobudur) to attract millions of visitors.

Fernanda Vázquez-Vela of the Metropolitan Autonomous University said that while media coverage in Mexico often overlooks sustained reporting on Nepal, the country’s new government represents an important moment of political renewal that deserves closer attention. She views recent leadership trends, especially the rise of younger, reform-oriented figures such as Balendra Shah as a signal of changing governance priorities focused on transparency, innovation, and citizen engagement being a form of inspiration to the Mexican people. However, she emphasized that without consistent media follow-up and deeper academic analysis, these developments remain poorly understood in Mexico. According to her, strengthening coverage and research on Nepal’s evolving political landscape would not only improve international awareness but also offer comparative insights for countries like Mexico facing similar governance and modernization challenges.

Patricio Mateo Carmody (Dr), International Relations Expert from Argentina, said that recent political developments in Nepal have been closely observed in Latin America, particularly as an example of a society emerging from periods of instability with strong public demand for reform. He noted that the country’s democratic processes and peaceful political transitions offer important lessons, drawing comparisons with experiences in Argentina. He highlighted the rise of new, independent-style leadership figures such as Balendra Shah as especially significant, describing them as communicative and reform-driven leaders who resonate with younger generations. According to him, Nepal’s current government faces major expectations particularly in addressing corruption, improving governance, and delivering tangible public services. He emphasized that these challenges are not unique to Nepal but are shared across many democracies, making Nepal’s ongoing reforms an important case to watch. Ultimately, he suggested that if Nepal succeeds in translating public support into effective governance, it could serve as a meaningful model for other countries navigating similar political and institutional transformations.

Lucas Meir, Senior Program Officer at the German Southeast Asian Center of Excellence, said that global development policy is shifting due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with countries like Germany prioritizing defense and support for Ukraine. In this context, he noted that international media coverage of Nepal focuses mainly on major political events but lacks consistent follow-up and deeper analysis, particularly in Mexico. He highlighted that Nepal’s recent political developments driven by youth engagement and the rise of outsider-style leaders are often portrayed as transformative and anti-corruption movements. However, he cautioned that such narratives can oversimplify reality, as these leaders may face difficulties delivering on expectations due to structural challenges. He concluded that Nepal’s situation reflects an evolving and hybrid democratic model, shaped by both popular momentum and institutional constraints.

Ambassador Lulzim Pllana of Kosovo warmly congratulated Prime Minister Balen Shah, stating that his election reflects Nepal's vibrant youth-driven democracy, which Kosovo—as another young democracy—greatly admires. He noted that while Kosovo holds Nepal as an important potential partner in South Asia, official bilateral relations remain limited because Nepal has not yet formally recognized Kosovo's independence. He expressed hope that the new Nepali government, which has signaled outreach to non-traditional partners, would soon consider recognition to unlock full diplomatic engagement, formal treaties, and agreements. In the meantime, Pllana emphasized practical areas for people-to-people cooperation, including diaspora mobilization for investment, student scholarships, cultural exchanges, and a potential labor agreement to allow Nepali workers to fill gaps in Kosovo's construction, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors.

Darko Trifunovic (Dr.), Founder and Director of the Institute for National and International Security, said the current political phase in Nepal reflects a broader national shift toward more accountable and citizen-driven governance. He emphasized that what makes Nepal notable is how public demand, especially from young people, is pushing the country toward greater transparency, responsiveness, and visible results in everyday governance. He noted that figures like Balendra Shah illustrate this transition at the local level, but the real test for Nepal as a country is whether this momentum can influence national institutions and lead to long-term reforms. According to him, Nepal stands at an important stage where public expectations, political change, and institutional capacity must align to shape a more effective and sustainable democratic system.

Liana Dashyan, an international relations expert based in Armenia, said that the current political developments in Nepal resemble Armenia’s experience during the Armenian Velvet Revolution, where public dissatisfaction with traditional parties led to widespread protests and the rise of new leadership. She noted that while Nepal’s changes receive limited coverage in Armenian media, international outlets such as Bloomberg and Reuters have highlighted these developments. She emphasized that Armenia’s transition strengthened democracy and anti-corruption efforts, offering a relevant comparison for Nepal. According to her, Nepal’s younger, tech-savvy leaders have the potential to drive digital modernization, improve governance, and increase political openness. She expressed optimism that Nepal can follow a similar democratic path, leading to stronger institutions and economic progress.

Dr. Suthikorn Kingkaew, an academic practitioner from Thailand, expressed his perspective on Nepal’s political transformation and the possible cooperation between the two states. He mentioned the young generation wanting to change the nature of the government in both countries, and Nepal is setting a prime example of that. He also mentioned that it would be interesting to watch Nepal perform better in terms of anti-corruption, better development, and transparency. However, he is aware that it would not be easy for the younger generation to run the country; nevertheless, this would set the way forward for the nations of South Asia.

Overall, the webinar revealed broad international optimism toward Nepal's youth-driven government under Prime Minister Balen Shah, viewed as a hopeful and transformative wave of change. However, speakers across continents consistently raised two concerns: whether this momentum can be institutionalized beyond individual leadership, and whether the new government can meet sky-high public expectations while maintaining balanced diplomatic ties with development partners. Nepal's experiment, as several noted, is being watched globally as a test of whether generational change alone can translate into lasting democratic and economic progress.