Opinion | Why Nepal’s youth-led government inherited the toughest job in Asia
Summary
Nepal’s youth-led government faces twin pressures from India-China rivalry and accelerating climate disasters, making strategic balance and climate diplomacy crucial. The country is now using international legal arguments to seek loss-and-damage support after recent floods and glacial instability.
Key Points
- Nepal’s new leaders inherit a difficult foreign-policy balancing act between China and India while lacking prior governing experience.
- The article argues that climate change is hitting Nepal hardest despite its tiny contribution to global emissions, with floods, mudslides and glacial instability worsening.
- The International Court of Justice’s July 2025 advisory opinion strengthens Nepal’s legal case for climate responsibility, cooperation and reparations.
- Hydropower could become Nepal’s key asset for both economic development and climate resilience if managed without overdependence on either neighbour.
