What's Next for "New Nepal"

In this fourth on-the-ground update, Claudia from "Over Here, Over There" Podcast explores Kathmandu’s return to life. But what's next? Nepal´s geography makes it a coveted piece on the world’s chessboard. Can it stay independent, or will it become a playground for superpowers? Discover why Nepal’s strategic location, enormous hydropower potential, and vital rivers can shape the future far beyond the Himalayas, and learn why Nepal’s fate should matter to you, wherever you live. 

Tune in for smart insights on Himalayan geopolitics and its future. Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and join the conversation—your thoughts and stories matter!

Transcript

Copy

Claudia Koestler (00:03.375)

Thank you. Hello and welcome back to Over Here, Over There, your podcast Across Borders. I'm Claudia. And as you can see, I am in the again bustling streets of Kathmandu, Nepal. So let's take that somewhere inside where it's a little bit less crowded. then please let's talk about all the new Nepal and why its future concerns you over there just as well. Thank you. Cheers.

Claudia Koestler (00:47.086)

Hey, life has come back to Kathmandu. Shops have opened, motorbikes are crowding the streets again, and you hear horns and chatter at every corner. yeah, okay, military police is still visible, but those heavy camouflage columns, they have mostly vanished. And let me tell you, last night, Kathmandu's Gen Zs and the lingering tourists partied hard here in Tamil. People want normality. And the swearing in of an interim prime minister has given them at least a temporary sense of stability. So this might be my last report from Nepal as my travel continues. But let's talk about why the happenings here should concern you too, wherever you are in the world. Because Nepal is not only about internal aspirations, young people are looking for a better life. Its geography makes it a coveted piece on the world's chessboard. It's landlocked, yet uniquely positioned between China and India. Nepal sits at the fault line of great power rivalry. Thus, it holds nearly 3 % of the world's freshwater reserves. Rivers flowing from the Himalayas could light up the region through hydropower. India already imports electricity from Nepal, and China has eyed investment in cascading dams. And beyond water and power, there is geopolitics. For New Delhi, Nepal is a buffer state critical to its northern frontier. For Beijing, on the other hand, Nepal is an access point into South Asia. And remember, around 75 years ago, China invaded Nepal's neighbour, Tibet, claiming the region was always part of China and pushing a narrative of liberation. But behind the slogans were hard strategic reasons. Tibet's location as a buffer, its vast water, and its control over key access routes into South Asia. Sounds familiar? So the question is, could this happen to Nepal, too?

Claudia Koestler (03:03.702)

Right now, I don't think so. It is an independent country with international recognition and a careful policy of non-alignment. It's balancing China and India. But it sits in a strategic crossroads. Both neighbors and also powers beyond seek influence here through investments, trade routes, and especially Nepal's own hydropower reserves. China uses gray zone tactics, infrastructure deals, soft power, and economic leverage to deepen its footprint here. So a military invasion seems unlikely at the moment. But the risk of losing independence to foreign interests is absolutely real, especially if Nepal's political instability continues. And yes, let's be honest and frank about it. The US and Europe also see Nepal as part of

their Indo-Pacific strategy. They are trying to counterbalance China's influence. So, whatever happens here doesn't just shape lives in Nepal. It can possibly impact us all. So, yeah, you saw it. At the moment, Kathmandu is buzzing again. But the bigger story is still unwritten. Will Nepal's youth turn their energy into political renewal?

Or will the country be drawn into becoming a playground? Or even a battleground for stronger powers around it? The next chapter depends on how Nepal manages its hunger for change while navigating the appetites of the world. Thank you so much for listening. Please support this podcast by subscribing and by commenting and by telling everyone about it.

We really want to grow this community, and we can't do it without you. So please be in touch and hear you on the next one. Cheers. Bye.