The coming election will serve as a litmus test for Justin Tureadu, as his popularity is cooling as compared to his conservative party and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

The recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the regiments of the Indian Army is one of the major sources of soft power of Nepal for India and this soft power for Nepal transforms into hard power for India when they are recruited.

Traditionally, India has been the major country to provide for the development needs of Nepal but in recent times, China has also intensified its engagement in Nepal for influence through connectivity and mega development projects.

When something unpleasant occurs in the bordering areas, media outlets should send their news teams for local reporting instead of providing flawed reporting from the central offices. Media in India and Nepal should create their own narrative instead of following what Western and other international media reports.

The Agnipath Scheme was not originally part of the tripartite agreement and it does not address the question of the rights of the Gurkhas — the longevity of their military career; as well as the existing problem of unemployment within Nepal.

It is evident that India wants to consolidate its influence in Nepal through these new development projects and Nepal must tactfully protect its national interest by engaging in hedging practices — without irking either India or China as a small state within South Asia.

India Nepal relations are a critical element of India’s neighbourhood first policy and they represent all the achievements as well as challenges in our region and how we shape our collective future together.