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The Communist Party of China has moved swiftly to engage Nepal's emerging political leadership following the landslide victory of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the March 5 parliamentary election, signaling a pragmatic shift in Beijing's Nepal policy amid a  changing political landscape.
In a congratulatory message from the CPC's International Department, Beijing underscored its readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation, describing Nepal and China as countries “connected by mountains and rivers” with a long-standing friendship. The CPC has indicated that the RSP is not an entirely unfamiliar political actor, noting that engagements between the two sides had taken place over the past few years.

The message reaffirmed China's commitment to advancing a strategic partnership focused on development, prosperity, and high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Notably, the CPC expressed confidence in RSP leaders Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah, signaling an early effort to build rapport with Nepal's new political power center. It also highlighted ongoing party-to-party exchanges, suggesting Beijing is keen to institutionalize ties with the relatively new political force.

The electoral setback suffered by Nepal's traditional communist forces—particularly the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and the Nepal Communist Party—marks a significant turning point in both domestic politics and Nepal's external relations. Following the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Beijing stepped up engagement with communist parties, especially the CPN-UML and the Maoist party, whose leaderships advocated for closer political and economic ties with China.

For over a decade, Beijing relied heavily on these ideologically aligned parties as stable partners. Leaders such as KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal played a central role in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through Nepal's participation in the BRI.

Under communist-led governments, Nepal signed the BRI Memorandum of Understanding in 2017 and a framework agreement in 2025, reflecting strong political commitment to Chinese-backed infrastructure development. These administrations also facilitated unusually close ideological exchanges with Beijing, including engagement around Xi Jinping Thought.

The decline of these parties therefore represents more than an electoral shift—it disrupts a diplomatic architecture that provided China with both ideological alignment and policy continuity.

Nepal's political landscape is now more fragmented, with traditional parties losing dominance and newer actors gaining ground. The rise of the RSP reflects growing public demand for governance reform and a break from entrenched political elites.

For Beijing, this shift complicates its long-standing approach of engaging Nepal primarily through ideologically sympathetic partners. While China has begun outreach to other actors, including the Nepali Congress, its relationships with newer political figures remain relatively underdeveloped.

Emerging leaders such as Balendra Shah have also demonstrated a more assertive posture on sovereignty and foreign engagement, including decisions to cancel China visits and distance themselves from certain embassy-backed initiatives. This evolving stance signals a potential recalibration in Nepal's foreign policy tone.

China's economic and strategic interests in Nepal, especially under the BRI framework, may face new headwinds. A coalition government without strong communist representation could slow project implementation, increase scrutiny of existing agreements, and demand greater transparency in development cooperation.

Analysts suggest that new political actors may seek to renegotiate or delay previously signed agreements, potentially introducing friction into bilateral economic ties. Several incidents following the GenZ movement have heightened Beijing's concerns, especially the recent burning of Xi Jinping's book in Biratnagar.

Despite these uncertainties, Beijing's core strategic concerns remain unchanged. Tibet-related issues continue to be central, with China expecting Nepal's adherence to the One-China principle and vigilance against activities linked to figures such as the Dalai Lama.

China's initial response to Nepal’s latest political development has been measured. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning praised Nepal for conducting a smooth and peaceful election and reiterated Beijing's commitment to cooperation. Analysts, however, note that this diplomatic composure likely masks deeper strategic concerns.

Going forward, China is expected to recalibrate rather than retreat. This may involve expanding engagement with the RSP, strengthening ties with Nepal's military and bureaucratic institutions, and adopting a less ideologically driven approach to diplomacy. Beijing may also continue leveraging its relationship with figures like Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who remains politically relevant and maintains connections across party lines.

Ultimately, the post-election landscape signals a “new normal” in China-Nepal relations—one defined less by ideological alignment and more by pragmatic engagement, institutional diversification, and cautious recalibration.

A helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty crashed at Balabesi in Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality-2,  Khotang on Wednesday. 

The aircraft was en route to Khotang from Kathmandu and was carrying six people, including pilot Sabin Thapa, when the incident occurred.

According to locals, the chopper suddenly lost balance while landing and fell to the ground.

DSP Prakash Budhathoki, Chief of the District Police Office, Khotang, said that the details of the incident are yet to come. 

Among those on board, Kaji Bahadur Rai sustained injuries., DSP Budhathoki said. 

A helicopter has been dispatched from Kathmandu to carry out rescue operations, it has been learnt. 

The Election Commission (EC) has disclosed a list of 110 Members of Parliament (MP) who have been elected in accordance with the law under the proportional representation electoral system, following the designated 'cluster'. 

The published list reveals that 57 MPs were elected from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) under this system. 

Additionally, 20 MPs were elected from the Nepali Congress (NC), 16 from the  CPN-UML,  nine from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), and four each from the Shram Sanskriti Party and the  Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). 

It was shared in a statement issued today by Krishna Bahadur Raut, Commission's Secretary and Returning Officer for Proportional Representation system. 

In the election held on March 5, a total of 11,280,617 votes were cast for proportional representation with 10,835,025 deemed valid.

In Nepal, addiction is still spoken about in hushed tones. A man who drinks too much is said to lack self-control. A teenager glued to a phone is blamed for poor discipline. Someone who uses drugs is often seen as irresponsible, immoral, or beyond help. These explanations feel familiar because they are deeply cultural. But neuroscience tells us they are wrong. Addiction is not a failure of character. It is a disorder of the brain.

This is not a matter of opinion. Over the past several decades, research in neuroscience and public health has shown that addiction changes how the brain functions. It alters neural circuits responsible for reward, motivation, stress, learning, and self-control. When this science is ignored, society responds with shame instead of treatment. People suffer longer. They relapse more often. Many die quietly, without support or care. Nepal is now facing a growing addiction crisis that demands a science-based response.

The scale of addiction in Nepal

Government data show that substance use is not a marginal issue. The Nepal Drug Users Survey conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs estimated more than 130,000 current drug users nationwide, with the number increasing each year. Most users are young, and the vast majority are men. This is not a hidden subculture. It is a public health challenge affecting families, workplaces, and entire communities.

Alcohol use is even more widespread. According to Nepal’s STEP wise Survey on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors, conducted with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in four adults reported consuming alcohol in the past year. Rates were far higher among men. Tobacco use remains similarly common across the population.

Since alcohol and tobacco are legal and socially accepted, their harm is often underestimated. Yet research conducted within Nepal tells a more troubling story. A large study from central Nepal, published in an international mental health journal, found that nearly one in four male drinkers screened positive for alcohol use disorder. Harmful drinking was closely associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, reduced ability to function at work and home, and intense feelings of shame. The researchers did not describe alcohol misuse as a lifestyle choice. They described it as a condition deeply intertwined with mental health and stigma.

Drug use injections add another layer of risk. Studies published in journals such as PLOS ONE have documented high vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Nepal. These studies also highlight how fear, discrimination, and criminalization discourage people from seeking healthcare until serious illness develops. When addiction goes untreated, it becomes a driver of infectious disease, disability, and premature death.

A new and growing addiction among Nepal’s youth

While Nepal continues to debate drugs and alcohol, another form of addiction is growing rapidly, especially among adolescents. Problematic internet and smartphone use is now widely reported among Nepali school and college students. A 2024 study of urban school adolescents found that excessive internet use was strongly associated with poor sleep, depression, and emotional distress. Another study published in PLOS ONE the same year reported that a substantial proportion of adolescents met criteria for internet addiction, and that physical inactivity and disrupted sleep patterns were common.

These findings matter because behavioral addictions are not less real than substance addictions. The brain does not distinguish between dopamine released by alcohol, gambling, or endless social media scrolling. What matters is repetition, intensity, and how powerfully a behavior trains the brain’s reward system.

Nepal’s youth are growing up in a digital environment that rewards constant engagement and rapid stimulation. Their brains are still developing, particularly the regions responsible for impulse control and decision-making. Neuroscience shows that early and excessive exposure to addictive patterns, whether chemical or digital, can shape brain development in ways that persist in adulthood.

What neuroscience tells us about addiction

Modern neuroscience has transformed how addiction is understood. Addictive substances and behaviors repeatedly overstimulate the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain adapts. Everyday pleasures feel less satisfying. Stress and irritability increase. Cravings become automatic. The systems responsible for self-control struggle to regulate behavior. This is how addiction shifts from choice to compulsion.

WHO has consistently emphasized that addiction is a chronic brain disorder, not a moral failing. This is also why relapses are common. When someone returns to substance use, it does not mean treatment failed or that the person lacked willpower. It means the brain remains vulnerable and requires continued support. WHO’s recognition of gaming disorder in its international disease classification further reinforces this understanding. Compulsive behaviors that disrupt daily functioning are legitimate health conditions, not personal flaws.

A response shaped by stigma

Despite this growing body of evidence, Nepal’s response to addiction remains limited and fragmented. Addiction is often treated as a social nuisance rather than a health condition. Families hide the problem until it becomes severe. Individuals delay seeking help because they fear judgment. When treatment is accessed, it often relies heavily on institutional rehabilitation, with limited long-term follow-up or integration with mental health care.

Research conducted in Nepal shows that stigma itself worsens outcomes. People with alcohol use disorders frequently internalize shame, which is associated with poorer mental health and a lower likelihood of seeking help. Shame does not cure addiction. It fuels it. At the same time, Nepal’s mental health system is overstretched. The country has a limited number of trained addiction specialists, most of them concentrated in urban areas. Community level prevention and early intervention remain rare.

A global warning Nepal should not ignore

Globally, addiction is rising. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that more than 300 million people worldwide used drugs in the past year, the highest number ever recorded. WHO estimates that alcohol alone contributes to more than two million deaths each year.

These are not failures of morality. They are failures of health systems that do not act early or compassionately enough. Countries that have adopted neuroscience informed approaches, including early screening, integrated mental health care, harm reduction, medication assisted treatment, and long-term support, have seen better outcomes. Those that rely on punishment and stigma do not.

What Nepal must do now

Nepal must recognize addiction as a health condition rooted in brain biology. This shift would change how families respond, how clinicians treat patients, and how policymakers allocate resources. Care for people with addiction must be integrated into primary healthcare. Screening for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and problematic internet use should become routine. Training in addiction medicine and mental health must be expanded. Treatment should address depression, trauma, and anxiety alongside substance use, not as separate problems.

Harm reduction services for people who inject drugs must be strengthened, not stigmatized. Evidence from Nepal itself shows that community-based outreach saves lives and reduces disease transmission. Prevention must begin early. Schools should teach how the brain forms habits and how sleep, stress, substances, and screens affect mental health. Parents cannot fight addictive digital platforms alone.

A choice Nepal can no longer avoid

If addiction could be solved through shame, Nepal would have solved it generations ago. Addiction persists because it is not a moral problem. It is a brain problem shaped by biology, stress, trauma, and the environment. Neuroscience also shows that the brain can recover, but only when treatment replaces judgment, and understanding replaces silence. Nepal has begun to speak more openly about mental health. Addiction must be part of that conversation. Treating addiction as a brain disorder is not an excuse. It is the first step toward effective, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Silence has failed. Stigma has failed. Science has not.

The author is a PhD candidate in the Department of Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences