Nepal and India share a long and complex relationship shaped by geography, trade, and deep cultural ties. India has historically positioned itself as Nepal’s closest partner, relying on open borders, economic interdependence, and sustained political engagement to preserve its influence. While this relationship has enabled cooperation, it has often remained structurally uneven, reflecting the inherent asymmetry between a regional power and a smaller neighboring state.

Historical precedents illustrate how this imbalance has periodically translated into coercive pressure. Episodes such as the 1951 Delhi Agreement, which influenced Nepal’s early democratic transition, and the 2015 border blockade, which caused severe economic disruption, demonstrate how Indian engagement has at times hardened when Kathmandu’s policies diverged from New Delhi’s strategic priorities. These moments reveal a recurring vulnerability in which Nepal’s sovereignty becomes exposed to regional power asymmetries.

This historical context is essential for understanding contemporary allegations surrounding India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and its purported involvement in Nepal’s internal political affairs ahead of the snap general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. Critics argue that RAW has maintained an entrenched operational presence in Nepal for........

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