From ‘pro-China’ Oli to India-connected interim PM Sushila Karki: How will Nepal-India ties unfold now?

From ‘Pro-China’ PM Oli to interim PM Sushila Karki

Former Chief Justice of Nepal, Sushila Karki, took oath as the interim Prime Minister at Sheetal Niwas, the office of the President, reported The Kathmandu Post.

This follows a severe political crisis in Nepal, triggered by massive student-led protests that continued for a second day, leading to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation and prompting the Nepal Army to manage law and order, along with nationwide restrictions and a curfew on Wednesday.

Nepal’s President, Ramchandra Paudel, on Friday dissolved the House of Representatives at Karki’s recommendation and announced fresh elections for March 21, 2026. The dissolution came into effect at 11:00 pm on September 12, according to a notice from the President’s Office.

Pro China KP Sharma Oli 

Nepal’s former Prime Minister and senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) was said to be 'anti-India'.

Although often regarded as a nationalist within Nepal, he has faced criticism from opponents and parts of the Indian media for an “anti-India” posture while strengthening ties with China. Oli is widely described as ‘pro-China.’

According to The Times of India, when Oli came into power, New Delhi’s main concern was whether Oli would endorse the implementation plan of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Nepal joined in 2017 under former leader Prachanda.

The Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) has stated that Oli will maintain a ‘neutral’ foreign policy, safeguard Nepal’s national interests and territorial integrity, and ensure that Nepalese soil is not used to target other nations.

Even in his farewell speech, Oli remained defiant, blaming his resignation on his refusal to bow to "Indian pressures."

Strong connection of interim PM Sushila Karki

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Sushila Karki on assuming office as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. Karki was appointed to lead the Nepali government following deadly protests that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Sushila Karki is the first woman to serve as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. She holds an MA in political science from Banaras Hindu University (1975) and a BA from Mahendra Morang Campus (1972). She also earned a law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978.

Karki’s husband, Durga Prasad Subedi, a Nepali Congress youth leader, was involved in Nepal’s first aircraft hijacking in 1973 during protests against the Panchayat regime of King Mahendra.

The hijacking involved a Royal Nepal Airlines de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, which had Bollywood actress Mala Sinha among the passengers. According to Prof. Malik, Karki met Subedi while studying at BHU.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday welcomed the formation of an interim government in Nepal under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. India expressed hope that the move would "help foster peace and stability" and reaffirmed that it "will continue to work closely with Nepal for the well-being and prosperity of our two peoples and countries."