New Delhi: Government is preparing to dispatch special flights to Kathmandu to evacuate Indian nationals after two days of violent protests in Nepal forced the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, left at least 22 people dead, and brought air travel to a standstill.
More than 400 Indians remain stuck at Tribhuvan International Airport, which has been shut since Tuesday night amid escalating violence. Officials from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu are coordinating with the Nepali Army to secure safe passage and facilitate the evacuation once flights are cleared to land.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to review developments and expressed deep anguish at the loss of young lives. Calling the situation “heart-rending,” he urged Nepal’s citizens to restore calm: “The stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace.”
आज दिनभरीको भ्रमणबाट फर्किएपछि सुरक्षा सम्बन्धी मन्त्रिपरिषद् समितिको बैठकमा नेपालको घटनाक्रमहरुको बारेमा विस्तृत छलफल भयो । नेपालमा भएको हिंसा हृदयविदारक छ । धेरै युवाहरुले आफ्नो ज्यान गुमाउनु परेकोमा मेरो मन अत्यन्तै विचलित छ । नेपालको स्थिरता, शान्ति र समृद्धि अत्यन्त…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2025
The unrest erupted after corruption allegations and a controversial social media ban ignited public fury. Protesters torched Parliament, the President’s Office, and Oli’s residence before storming his office and demanding his resignation. The Army has since assumed control of security in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, enforcing curfews and patrols.
India has issued an advisory urging its citizens to defer travel to Nepal until stability returns. Those already in the country have been asked to remain indoors, heed local advisories, and contact Embassy helplines (+977-9808602881, +977-9810326134) for assistance.'
Meanwhile, commercial flight operations remain suspended. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Nepal Airlines cancelled flights, with some aircraft forced to return mid-route due to smoke and unrest around Kathmandu airport.
The crisis has not only thrown Nepal into political uncertainty but also disrupted regional connectivity. For India, the immediate priority remains safeguarding its citizens stranded in Kathmandu, even as the unfolding unrest poses wider implications for peace and stability in the neighbourhood.
BI Bureau
