More on Nepal

Nepal signs deal with India for fertilizer procurement; deal to boost bilateral economic cooperation

In a major relief to Nepal's agriculture sector, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with India, ensuring the constant supply of chemical fertilizers for the next five years

Nepal Parliament approves contentious US-aid project to boost power and road infrastructure; Left parties wary

After some governmental dithering and political shadow-boxing, Nepal Parliament has approved the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-Nepal Compact, a controversial $500 million grant agreement that will improve the country’s power transmission and road infrastructure, amid protests by a section of China-leaning left political parties

Nepal tables US-backed MCC aid agreement in parliament amid orchestrated protests

Ending weeks of confusion, the Nepal government has finally tabled the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-Nepal compact - a US government aid program under which Kathmandu will receive $500 million for infrastructure development - in parliament amid a huge protest as the deadline, 28 February, to ratify the compact loomed large

Oppose US’ ‘coercive diplomacy’, ‘selfish agenda’, says China on US-Nepal MCC row intensifies

We oppose the US’ “coercive diplomacy”, China said in its reaction to Nepal’s MCC row - a stalled $500 million grant program that threatens to derail Nepal-US ties as Beijing accuses Washington of pressuring Kathmandu at the “expense of Nepal’s sovereignty and interests.”

Hit by MCC row, time running out for Nepal’s energy-export ambitions

Despite being a net energy surplus country, Nepal still imports electricity from India to supply to some regions which remain off the national grid

Nepal government backtracks on MCC as ally threatens to quit coalition, jeopardises US ties

The Nepal government withdrew its decision to table the MCC the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement for ratification in Parliament on Wednesday after a key coalition partner threatened to quit the ruling alliance

Nepal’s controversial chief justice faces impeachment motion in parliament

Nepal’s Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana risks being impeached as 98 lawmakers from the country’s ruling coalition registered an impeachment motion against him seeking his removal

In a stern message to Nepal, US says it will review its ties if MCC grant agreement not ratified

The United States has reportedly conveyed to senior Nepali political leaders that Washington will be forced to review its ties with Kathmandu if the latter fails to ratify the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) deal under which Nepal will get a $500 million grant to improve its road and transmission infrastructure

Broken pledges of Nepal's grandees leaves Kathmandu zoo animals in distress

Last year, KP Sharma Oli, then Prime Minister of Nepal, and his wife had announced taking sponsorship of a one-horned rhino, living in the Central Zoo of Nepal, for a year and promised to pay NPR 1.5 million to cover the feed, care, and medication

Nepal may lose a $500 US grant under the MCC compact

Nepal may lose the 500 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent US foreign-policy aid agency, if it fails to ratify the MCC-Nepal Compact in the Nepali Parliament by 28 February, the MCC Headquarters has warned in a letter to the Nepali government, which has been delaying the process now for over four years

Nepal’s self-sufficiency in cement, with a little Chinese help, costs the environment and people

Nepal has become self-sufficient in cement production, with close to 55 plants having an annual production capacity of 15 million tonnes operating across the country

Nepal records lowest population growth in eight decades; data from disputed Indian territories also included

Nepal’s population grew by 10.18 percent in the last decade, 0.93 percent annually—the lowest in the last eight decades—with women constituting 51.04 percent of the total 29,192,480 (roughly 29 million)

The China factor in Nepal’s power exports to India

India will not buy Nepal’s surplus electricity produced by hydropower projects having Chinese components or built by Chinese contractors, Indian authorities have reportedly conveyed to Nepal, days after the industry players from the two nations signed a landmark agreement for power trading

IMF Board approves $395 million credit assistance for Nepal to mitigate Covid-19 impact

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board has approved a $395.9 million extended credit facility (ECF) for Nepal to help it mitigate the pandemic’s impact on health and economic activity, supporting sustained growth and poverty reduction among others

Geopolitics on Kathmandu's high streets: USAID logo in local protest sparks controversy

The use of the USAID logo in a civic protest seeking disabled-friendly roads in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, sparked controversy last week, with some alleging  “suspected involvement” of the United States in fueling the protests