India's Support Paves the Way for Nepal's National Elections
Nepal's National Election Assistance from India
Kathmandu, March 7: India was the first nation to offer assistance to Nepal for its national elections held on Thursday, following a political crisis that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli amid significant protests from the youth.
In a conversation with a news outlet, retired Justice Anil Sinha, a senior member of the interim government led by Sushila Karki, mentioned that Nepal requested logistical support from India during the election preparations.
“Maintaining positive relations with our neighbors is essential,” Sinha stated. “India was the first to step forward and provide assistance as we approached the elections. We requested logistical support from New Delhi primarily for the electoral process.”
As per the minister, India supplied approximately 310 vehicles and other election-related materials to Nepal in January across two initial shipments. This included SUVs and pickup trucks. A subsequent shipment in February brought over 270 additional vehicles, including 50 trucks designated for the Nepali Army, along with other supplies.
Sinha noted that China later offered financial backing for the electoral process.
“Eventually, China also provided financial assistance for the elections. This indicates that our neighbors are eager to see the democratic process continue and a constitutional government established,” he remarked.
“Additionally, there are other nations with which we maintain friendly diplomatic ties. They also extended their full support, assuring us that past events would not affect our relations,” he added.
The interim cabinet will remain in place until a new government is formed. In September 2025, President Ramchandra Paudel approved the interim cabinet suggested by Prime Minister Karki, with Sinha overseeing several key ministries, including Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.
“Later, I requested the Prime Minister to reassign one of my portfolios as my responsibilities were extensive, and she agreed but asked me to manage Civil Aviation, Culture and Tourism,” Sinha explained.
“When one minister resigned to contest in Parliament, PM Karki opted to retain her existing team rather than appoint new ministers for a brief period. Consequently, I took on the Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation portfolio again. At one point, I was responsible for four ministries, encompassing 12 departments,” he shared with a chuckle.
Addressing the challenges facing the new government, Sinha highlighted entrenched institutional problems. He pointed out that various sectors of the bureaucracy, intelligence agencies, and security forces had become politicized.
“Except for the army,” he emphasized.
He criticized the previous administration for excessive spending on politically motivated projects, stating, “The treasury was nearly empty. There were unnecessary expenditures, some linked to politically driven initiatives.”
Sinha alleged that political considerations had often influenced appointments and promotions within security agencies over the last two decades.
“In the past two decades, we have heard of numerous manipulations during the appointment of security agency heads or when granting promotions. Even investigations were swayed by political influences. Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force must operate free from political interference,” he asserted.
He also accused the former government of politicizing the intelligence apparatus, which he claimed hindered its effectiveness. However, he stated that the interim government had begun to restore institutional independence.
“In less than two months following the regime change, the system began to reorganize itself,” Sinha noted. “Soon, credible information started to flow in.”
“Currently, there is excellent coordination among security agencies and with the government,” he added, asserting that the security system is now operating more efficiently and without political interference.
As the vote counting progresses, early indications suggest a strong showing by the relatively new Rashtriya Swatantra Party, raising hopes for political transformation in the Himalayan nation.