Flights cancelled, border on high alert, trade under strain: How Nepal's deadly protests are impacting India | Explained

Smoke billows from the burning Hilton Hotels, a day after it was set ablaze by protesters in Kathmandu on September 10, 2025.

Nepal is experiencing one of its most serious political and social crises in recent years. What began as a ban on 26 popular apps quickly snowballed into nationwide protests by young citizens against corruption, nepotism and shrinking opportunities. At least 19 people have been killed and over 300 injured as security forces attempted to contain the agitation. The turmoil has already led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, curfews in multiple cities and flight cancellations.

For India, which shares a 1,751-km unfenced border with Nepal, the unrest carries immediate security, economic and humanitarian implications that are still unfolding.

Flights cancelled and tourism hit

Air connectivity between India and Nepal has been disrupted as violence escalates in Kathmandu and other cities. IndiGo has suspended all flights to and from the Nepali capital after the closure of the airport. In a post on X, the airline asked affected passengers to opt for an alternate flight or claim a refund. Air India and Nepal Airlines have also cancelled their Delhi-Kathmandu flights. Three Kathmandu-bound flights were diverted to Lucknow and another to Delhi. This disruption has forced many Indian tourists to cut short their trips and return through land crossings such as Sonauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district.

Border security tightened

India has placed its border districts on high alert amid fears of spill-over effects. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which mans the porous 1,751-km border, has stepped up patrols and inspections. The Maitri Bridge connecting Bihar’s Raxaul with Nepal’s Birgunj remains desolate. At Panitanki in West Bengal’s Darjeeling, a new police post has been set up with additional force deployment. DG & IG of North Bengal Police Rajesh Kumar Yadav told ANI, “As the situation on the border is concerned, it is absolutely peaceful at the International border and on the Indian side of the border. However, some violent incidents have been reported from the other side of the border (in Nepal) since morning. We are alert and have increased our deployment in the area.”

Vigilance in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

In Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, Senior Superintendent of Police Sankalp Sharma said, “We are constantly keeping a close watch on the law and order developments in the neighbouring country. We are in constant coordination with the Border Security Force. Joint patrolling is being done. We have deployed adequate vigilance and police force.” Drone monitoring is under way in Balrampur where additional forces have been deployed at 22 SSB outposts. In Bahraich, the SSB has intensified patrols and checks along highways and village tracks using face-recognition systems and automatic number plate readers. Similar precautions are in place in Bihar’s Araria and along the Jogbani crossing.

Advisory to Indian nationals in Nepal

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indians in Nepal to defer travel until the situation stabilises. “Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the embassy of India in Kathmandu,” the ministry said. Emergency numbers have been issued by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu to assist nationals needing help.

Trade and supply chain risks

Nepal depends heavily on India for essential goods such as petroleum products, LPG cylinders, cement and food grains. Prolonged unrest could disrupt this supply chain. Almost 200 trucks carrying essential supplies were stranded in Bahraich, with only a few allowed entry under Army escort. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative warned that “any disruption in transport routes, customs operations, or cross-border logistics could delay shipments, impacting both Indian exporters and Nepali consumers who rely on these goods.” New Delhi has adopted a wait-and-watch approach but remains in contact with export promotion councils to assess potential risks.

Security concerns beyond protests

Indian intelligence agencies have warned that the unrest in Nepal could enable terrorists or criminal networks to exploit the open border. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has previously used Nepal to send operatives into India, while drug and arms smuggling has also been reported. This has raised fears that the current instability could create opportunities for infiltration, forcing Indian agencies to bolster their surveillance.

Geopolitical context

The timing of the protests has invited speculation because Oli had just returned from a visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit and was scheduled to visit India. Analysts note that Nepal is geopolitically significant for India as a buffer with China. Unlike in Bangladesh where India’s ties with Sheikh Hasina shaped New Delhi’s response, the government appears to be letting events in Nepal play out while focusing on maintaining cooperative ties across sectors.

What lies ahead for India

The immediate impact has been visible in cancelled flights, stranded cargo and heightened border vigilance. If the crisis deepens, India could face sustained trade disruption, larger refugee flows and an uptick in cross-border criminal activity. The MEA has said, “We are closely monitoring the developments in Nepal since yesterday and are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased. We also wish a speedy recovery for those who were injured.” For now, New Delhi’s strategy combines humanitarian concern with a security-first posture as its northern neighbour struggles to restore stability.