Senior members of Nepal’s former cabinet, including deposed Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, have claimed that “foreign hands” were behind the Gen Z protests that led to the government’s ouster in September 2025. Oli emphasized that the uprising was not a spontaneous event but rather a well-organized and planned occurrence.
Former foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali supported Oli’s stance, stating that individuals associated with the deep state used misinformation and instigated violence across borders. Gyawali highlighted that Nepal’s efforts to enhance ties with India and China were viewed unfavorably by certain powers.
Oli mentioned warnings from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh about potential protests in Nepal, which eventually materialized. He expressed concerns about the impact on democracy and the economy, indicating that the current situation in Nepal is not conducive to holding elections. Nepal’s interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, took office after Oli’s removal, with a general election scheduled for March.
Gyawali suggested that Nepal’s strategic location was being exploited by external powers for their own interests. Reports indicated that the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED) supported Nepalese youth in organizing protests, aiming to counter Chinese and Indian influence in Nepal.
