Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu on Monday as he began a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening defence and military ties between India and Nepal.

A key highlight of the visit was Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel conferring on General Seth the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army. The honour reflects the longstanding military relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Guard of Honour in Kathmandu

General Seth received the ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters as part of his official engagements.

He also laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel. The Indian Army chief is visiting Nepal from August 17 to 19 at the invitation of Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

General Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday with a five-member delegation. Nepal's Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Pradeep Jung KC received him at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Honorary Rank Conferred

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel conferred on General Seth the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava confirmed the development in a post on X, describing the honour as part of the “unique tradition” between the Indian and Nepali armies.

The practice of conferring the honorary rank of General on each other's Army chiefs dates back to 1950. It is regarded as an important symbol of the close and historic relationship between the two armed forces.

India-Nepal Military Ties

The visit comes as India and Nepal continue their military-to-military engagement through training programmes, professional exchanges and other defence-related cooperation.

The relationship between the two countries extends beyond defence and is supported by longstanding historical, social and cultural connections.

The Indian Defence Ministry has described the relationship between the two countries as being rooted in deep historical and cultural ties, often referred to as the “Roti Beti Ka Rishta”.

General Seth's visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss issues of mutual interest and further strengthen military cooperation.

Bilateral Defence Talks

During his stay in Kathmandu, General Seth is scheduled to meet his Nepali counterpart, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, at the Nepali Army Headquarters.

He is also expected to receive a detailed briefing from the Nepali Army's Director General of Military Operations on issues of mutual strategic interest.

The meetings are expected to focus on areas of continued military cooperation and broader bilateral defence engagement.

The two countries have maintained regular interaction between their armed forces, including through military training and exchanges.

Visit to Shivapuri

General Seth's engagements will continue on August 18, when he is scheduled to visit Shivapuri.

He will address student officers attending the Army Command and Staff Course and interact with instructors as well as foreign student officers.

The Indian Army chief is also expected to hold discussions with senior Nepali dignitaries during the visit.

The engagement with military trainees and instructors will provide an opportunity to discuss professional and strategic issues relevant to both armies.

Pokhara Visit on August 19

On the final day of his Nepal visit, General Seth is scheduled to travel to Pokhara.

He will attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally, where he is expected to felicitate Veer Naris and gallantry awardees. He will also interact with Indian Army veterans living in Nepal.

The Pokhara programme highlights another important aspect of the India-Nepal military relationship, which includes longstanding connections with Indian Army veterans and the wider Gorkha community.

General Seth is scheduled to return to India after completing his engagements in Pokhara.

The three-day visit, including the conferment of the honorary rank and military-level discussions, underscores the continued importance both countries attach to their longstanding defence relationship.

Nepal is witnessing growing public anger after three young people attempted self-immolation within three days, triggering nationwide concern over rising unemployment, economic hardship and the mental health crisis among the country's youth. Two of the victims have died during treatment, while another remains critically injured, intensifying protests and political pressure on Prime Minister Balen Shah's government.

The incidents have sparked demonstrations in Kathmandu and several other parts of the country, where protesters are demanding immediate action to address unemployment and economic stagnation. Demonstrators have also called for Prime Minister Balen Shah's resignation, accusing his government of failing to fulfil promises made to young voters.

Youth Frustration Boils Over

The recent self-immolation attempts have become a symbol of mounting frustration among Nepal's younger generation. Protesters say employment opportunities remain scarce despite repeated assurances of reforms, while inflation and the rising cost of living continue to place financial pressure on families.

Many young demonstrators argue that government policies have failed to generate jobs or create meaningful economic opportunities. As a result, public discontent has moved beyond social media campaigns to large-scale street protests.

Opposition Targets Government

The opposition Nepali Congress has criticised the government, saying it has failed to restore confidence among young people or provide a clear roadmap for employment and economic recovery.

Opposition leaders have warned that unless concrete measures are announced soon, public protests could intensify further.

Meanwhile, the youth organisation Gen-Z Nepal has also accused the government of neglecting youth-related issues. The organisation said the current budget lacks meaningful initiatives to boost employment or expand income-generating opportunities for young citizens. It also alleged that the government has relied more on announcements than effective policy implementation.

Earlier Incident Returns to Spotlight

The latest developments have revived public discussion around the 2023 self-immolation of Prem Acharya, who had cited unemployment and government neglect before taking the extreme step.

At the time, Balen Shah—then serving as Kathmandu's mayor—had described the incident as one of the biggest failures of the state and strongly criticised the government of the day.

Now, with Shah serving as Nepal's Prime Minister, critics and protesters are questioning his government's response to similar incidents and accusing it of remaining largely silent.

Mental Health Concerns Emerge

Experts believe the recent incidents also highlight growing concerns about mental health among Nepal's youth.

Increasing unemployment, financial insecurity and uncertainty about future prospects have contributed to rising psychological distress, according to mental health professionals. They have urged authorities to strengthen both employment generation programmes and mental health support systems to prevent similar tragedies.

From Popular Reformer to Political Pressure

Balen Shah first gained national popularity after being elected Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022. His campaigns against corruption, illegal encroachments and efforts to improve civic administration earned him widespread support, particularly among young voters.

Apart from politics, Shah also built a strong public following as a rapper and social activist. His music often resonated with youth, and several of his songs became symbols during earlier public protests over corruption, unemployment and economic challenges.

Following his party's strong performance in the recent general election, Shah emerged as one of Nepal's youngest Prime Ministers after defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the Jhapa-5 parliamentary constituency.

His rise to national leadership had raised expectations of sweeping reforms. However, the recent wave of protests and the tragic self-immolation incidents have placed his administration under intense public and political scrutiny.

As demonstrations continue, attention is now focused on whether the government will announce concrete measures to address unemployment, economic challenges and the growing dissatisfaction among Nepal's youth.

It has been exactly two months since Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah took office amidst historic public expectations, but his administration is already navigating a turbulent political landscape. After being sworn into office on March 27 following a landslide victory, the former engineer and rapper introduced an ambitious 100-point reform agenda. However, latest tracking data reveals a stark reality: 88 of those promises are currently reported to be overdue or lagging severely behind schedule.

The government has also faced immediate political setbacks after two key ministers resigned within 30 days of its formation, triggering questions from the nation's highly active Gen-Z voters.

Promises Fall Behind Schedule

According to the official tracking website maintained by the Prime Minister’s Office, the vast majority of the 100-point agenda remains unfulfilled. Initial reports indicate that bureaucratic delays and structural hurdles have slowed down the promised rapid implementation.

The stalled roadmap has fueled growing dissatisfaction among Gen-Z youth, who were the driving force behind the political shift that propelled Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to power. Many young citizens are openly taking to social media, asking whether the promised “new politics” is genuinely distinct from the old guard, or if capable leadership remains missing in government.

Two Ministerial Exits in a Month

Adding to the administration's early anxieties, the Cabinet saw high-profile departures within its first month. Labour Minister Deepak Shah stepped down following allegations that he improperly secured a job for his wife.

Shortly after, Home Minister Sudan Gurung tendered his resignation following claims of links to a businessman currently under investigation. While local authorities confirmed that the resignations were meant to establish a high standard of accountability, the double exit has left the young administration looking vulnerable.

Internal Party Friction Grows

The friction is not limited to the opposition. Several legislative decisions taken by Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government have faced protests, and critical questions are now emerging from within his own party.

RSP leaders Aashika Tamang and Amresh Kumar Singh publicly voiced concerns after the Prime Minister chose not to respond directly to opposition queries during an intense parliamentary session. Singh remarked that Nepal’s parliamentary democracy was beginning to resemble a less accountable model where executive decisions bypass legislative scrutiny.

      Balen Shah Government Tracker (First 60 Days)

┌─────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────┐

│ Reform Metric                       │ Status               │

├─────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────┤

│ Total Promised Reforms              │ 100 Points           │

│ Overdue / Delayed Reforms           │ 88 Points            │

│ Ministerial Resignations (30 days)  │ 2 Ministers          │

│ Major Fulfild Promises              │ Free Hospital Beds   │

└─────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘

Controversial Legal Decisions

The administration has faced severe backlash over its legal and procedural choices. The government’s move to implement the old Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission report—which looked into corruption and systemic misuse of power—was initially welcomed by youth groups but soon hit legal hurdles. Critics pointed out that the enforcement lacked a clear legislative basis.

Simultaneously, the high-profile arrests of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak sparked massive political debate. Legal experts claimed that proper procedures and required paperwork were bypassed, turning the anti-corruption drive into a political flashpoint. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka was recently released from custody after authorities cited insufficient evidence.

Governance Through Ordinances

Despite holding a comfortable majority in the lower house, the RSP lacks representation in the National Assembly (the upper house). To bypass this roadblock, the government introduced eight separate ordinances, including highly controversial proposals to ban civil service trade unions and student organisations.

"Student and employee groups in education and government offices have become sleeper cells of political parties. Transfers and promotions should depend strictly on merit, not political links," Prime Minister Shah stated in a social media post, defending the policy.

However, following massive protests by employee unions and student bodies, Nepal’s Supreme Court intervened and stayed the ordinances, delivering a major judicial blow to the executive.

Border Resentment and Demolitions

On the economic and civic front, the government's strict policy choices have triggered public anger. Local authorities strictly enforced a customs duty rule requiring tax payments on goods worth over 100 Nepali rupees brought across the India-Nepal border. Residents in border towns, who rely heavily on Indian markets for daily essentials like medicines and groceries, staged protests, terming the move an "undeclared blockade."

Domestically, a relentless anti-encroachment drive has displaced thousands. Officials confirmed that nearly 4,000 structures were demolished in the Kathmandu Valley alone, affecting close to 15,000 people. While Shah pioneered this "bulldozer action" during his tenure as Kathmandu mayor, international human rights experts have criticized the current nationwide drive for failing to provide proper rehabilitation plans for the poor.

Fulfilling Core Pledges

Despite the widespread criticism, the government has managed to deliver on a few cornerstone promises. The administration successfully mandated that all government and private hospitals across Nepal allocate 10% of their beds entirely free for poor and destitute patients.

Furthermore, a large-scale judicial inquiry has been initiated into the assets of top political elites and former monarchs since 2006, keeping his core anti-corruption base intact.

Silence Over Accountability

However, a growing point of contention remains the Prime Minister’s recent choice of communication. During his campaign, Shah promised radical transparency, yet he has not held a single press conference or addressed the nation since taking the oath.

His sudden departure midway through the President’s policy speech and subsequent unannounced absences from Parliament have given the opposition fresh leverage. As the government completes its second month under deadline pressure, the public is watching closely to see if the young leader can bridge the gap between radical promises and complex statecraft.