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In a landmark visit—the first official trip since the establishment of Nepal-Thailand diplomatic relations over 60 years ago—Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held bilateral talks with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The two leaders witnessed the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), expanding cooperation in tourism, culture, trade, industry, medicine, agriculture, and academia.

The visit, coinciding with the 66th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, highlighted the strong spiritual and cultural connections, particularly the annual pilgrimage of thousands of Thai Buddhists to Lumbini. 

Following the talks, the two leaders held a joint press conference, hailing the visit as a milestone in elevating bilateral relations. Prime Minister Oli extended an invitation to his Thai counterpart to visit Nepal, which she accepted, pledging to do so at a mutually convenient time.

Oli emphasized the discussions on deepening diplomatic and people-to-people ties. He highlighted Nepal’s potential in hospitality and aviation, urging Thai investors to explore opportunities in these sectors. “Nepal and Thailand share strong agricultural, trade, tourism, and cultural ties. I encourage Thailand’s business community to invest in Nepal,” he said.

Prime Minister Shinawatra noted the long-standing friendship between the two nations, rooted in shared history and culture. “This visit marks an opportunity to strengthen our partnership and explore new avenues for collaboration,” she stated. She praised Nepal’s effective management of water resources for hydropower development, which has significantly contributed to economic growth.

The Thai prime minister also stressed the importance of improving the ease of doing business, reducing trade barriers and leveraging comparative advantages. “With bilateral trade currently at $40m, we have significant potential to expand. These measures will boost trade and investment, giving Thai businesses greater confidence to enter Nepal’s market,” she added.

Connectivity emerged as another key focus. “We recognize the role of Thai airlines in enhancing ties through increased flight frequency, resuming direct Bangkok-Kathmandu routes, and expanding services to Lumbini,” Shinawatra said.

The leaders also discussed strengthening the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). “With solidarity among member-states, we will ensure BIMSTEC remains a dynamic and relevant organization,” Shinawatra said. She reiterated her commitment to advancing bilateral and multilateral relations across diverse fields for sustainable prosperity.

Nepal and Thailand also signed several agreements regarding cooperation in various sectors. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and Thailand’s Minister for Culture, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, signed an MoU on cultural cooperation, while Deuba and Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong inked a tourism agreement. 

Other agreements included partnerships between Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh and Thailand’s Mahidol University, Janata Agro and Forestry Nepal (JFL) and Kasetsart University, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Board of Trade of Thailand, and Kathmandu University and Siam University. 

Additionally, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Federation of Thai Industries, along with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Council of Thailand, signed agreements to bolster private-sector collaboration.

Key areas of discussion 

• Bilateral relations 
• Trade and investment 
• Agriculture and technology 
• Development cooperation 
• Multilateral and regional cooperation 
• Connectivity 

As I stepped into the United States at the end of Dec 2024 to pursue my Master’s in Law,  I saw the key differences between student politics in Nepal and the United States. Having served as an executive member of the Free Students’ Union (FSU) at Nepal Law Campus, I was eager to explore how student representation worked in my new academic home. What I discovered was a system that prioritizes student welfare over political agendas, a refreshing contrast to what I had experienced back in Nepal.

In Nepal, the FSU is deeply intertwined with national politics. Student leaders often serve as bridges between students and senior political leaders, rather than focusing solely on campus issues. The election process, while democratic in appearance, is heavily influenced by political parties. Candidates are nominated by these parties, not by the students themselves, which often leads to a disconnect between student representatives and the actual needs of the student body. The focus shifts from addressing campus concerns to advancing political agendas, and transparency in fund management remains a recurring issue.

In contrast, American universities typically have Student Councils or Student Governments. These bodies, known by various names like The Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) or Harvard’s Undergraduate Council (UC), operate quite differently from their Nepali counterparts. Here, candidates nominate themselves independently, and the focus is primarily on bridging students and campus administration. Political party affiliations are not prominently displayed on campus, and there’s a greater emphasis on addressing student concerns within the university context.

The differences between these systems became apparent soon after my arrival in the U.S. At my law school, we have a Student Bar that serves as a liaison between students and the administration, without the overt political connections I was accustomed to in Nepal. In Nepal, student politics often spills over into national issues, sometimes resulting in campus lockdowns or talabandi over relatively minor disputes. This practice is virtually unheard of in American universities, where student representatives tend to concentrate on campus-specific matters.

While both systems have their merits, I believe the Student Council model offers several advantages. It allows for the development of leadership skills without direct political party interference, keeps the focus on student welfare and campus issues, and promotes a more inclusive environment for independent candidates. For Nepal’s educational institutions, adopting aspects of the Student Council system could lead to a more study friendly environment. This doesn’t mean completely dismantling the current structure, but rather refocusing it on student needs and campus governance.

A clash broke out between pro-royalists and security personnel in Sinamangal on Friday, prompting the police to fire tear gas to disperse the protesters. The protesters picked up the tear gas canisters and hurled them toward the Nepal Oil Corporation depot.

The area surrounding the depot was engulfed in smoke. The facility was spared from disaster only because it stored aviation fuel (ATF), Nepal Oil Corporation’s Aviation Fuel Depot Chief Engineer, Pradeep Kumar Yadav, told Annapurna. “Had it been petrol, the depot would have been destroyed.”

Aviation fuel is less flammable than petrol, similar to kerosene, which is why the depot remained safe, Yadav explained. However, the incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of the aviation fuel depot in Sinamangal. “If fire had been thrown toward the depot during Friday’s protest, Tribhuvan International Airport could have been devastated,” said Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Calling the depot a ‘hazard,’ Bhul emphasized the high risk of an accident.

The Sinamangal aviation fuel depot, nearly 50 years old, has a storage capacity of 7,660 kiloliters. Currently, it distributes 400 kiloliters of aviation fuel daily. The facility includes three storage tanks of 1,600 kiloliters, three of 760 kiloliters, and eight of 70 kiloliters. According to Yadav, the depot has the capacity to store aviation fuel for about a month. However, its location within a sensitive area has become a growing concern.

Local residents, highway authorities, and the aviation sector have long voiced their worries about the depot’s location. In response, the Cabinet, in a meeting on 12 Aug 2024, directed that the aviation fuel depot be relocated to a safer and more suitable site within a year.

Meanwhile, CAAN is expanding and upgrading Tribhuvan International Airport, including the construction of a parallel taxiway to improve access to the main runway. According to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and CAAN’s master plan, the distance between the runway centerline and the taxiway should be 172.5 meters. However, to build the taxiway, nearly half of the Nepal Oil Corporation’s aviation fuel depot must be removed. Regulations dictate that such hazardous storage facilities should not be placed within 75 meters of the airport runway.

“This area is classified as a sensitive zone,” said Bhul. “Flammable depots cannot be located within 150 meters on either side of the runway.” CAAN has repeatedly urged the Oil Corporation to relocate the depot, but the corporation has cited budgetary constraints and a lack of available land as obstacles.

Depot Chief Engineer Yadav acknowledged that relocation is the only viable option. “A depot this close to the airport runway and a major highway is not safe in any way. The government should learn from Friday’s protest and the potential damage it could have caused. This is a serious challenge,” he said.

Following the government’s directive last August, the relocation process has begun. CAAN has allocated 50 ropanis of land in Guhyeshwari, near the Nepal Army Golf Course, northwest of the airport runway, for the new depot. Bhul confirmed that the land transfer to the Oil Corporation has been completed. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 6bn.

A detailed project report (DPR) is currently being prepared under an agreement signed with Pulchowk Engineering last December, with completion expected within five months. Yadav estimated that the DPR will take about two more months to finalize. The new depot in Guhyeshwari will feature five storage tanks with a capacity of 3,000 kiloliters. An agreement has been reached between the concerned authorities to construct the facility using state-of-the-art technology.

Pervasive presence of plastics in our environment has raised significant concerns globally, and Nepal is no exception. From the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains, microplastics and other plastic pollutants have infiltrated ecosystems and, alarmingly, the human body. Plastics, derived from petrochemicals and synthetic materials, are ubiquitous in modern life due to their durability, lightweight nature, and versatility, which have led to widespread use in packaging, textiles, construction, and healthcare. However, plastics present a substantial downside: they do not biodegrade easily. Instead, they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics—particles less than 5mm in size—that have been found in various food items, beverages, and even the air we breathe.

The pathways through which plastics enter the human body are diverse, starting with food sources. In Nepal, the consumption of freshwater fish from the country’s rivers and lakes is a significant avenue for microplastic contamination. Research conducted by the Nepalese Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) revealed concerning levels of microplastics in common fish species, such as Rohu and Catla, which form staple protein sources for many Nepalis. Marine organisms, mistaking microplastics for food, ingest these particles, leading to bioaccumulation up the food chain. When humans consume these fish, they inadvertently increase their microplastic intake, raising potential health concerns.

In agriculture, the practice of using plastic mulch has become commonplace among Nepalese farmers due to its benefits in weed control and moisture retention. However, this practice contributes to plastic pollution in the soil. As plastics decompose, they disrupt the availability of micronutrients essential for plant health, resulting in potential residues on produce grown in contaminated soil that may eventually enter human diets. Furthermore, the rise of packaged food products in urban areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara has increased exposure to microplastics. Many food items are sold in plastic packaging that can leach harmful chemicals into the contents, particularly under high temperatures during storage and transportation. The National Institute of Health and Population (NIHP) recently indicated concerns about certain packaged snacks containing microplastics, contributing to the overall apprehension about their health impacts.

Environmental exposure is another critical pathway. Air pollution in urban centers is a growing health concern, and airborne microplastics have been detected in air samples across Nepal. High levels of construction, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity suggest that individuals may be inhaling microplastic particles. Dr. Anuja Tamang, a pulmonary specialist in Kathmandu, noted that these inhaled particles could lead to respiratory issues and other chronic health conditions. Additionally, water sources in Nepal are increasingly threatened by plastic pollution. Rivers and lakes, often used as dumping grounds for plastic waste, pose a risk of microplastic contamination in drinking water supplies. A recent survey conducted by the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage detected microplastics in drinking water sources across several districts, raising serious concerns about the health implications for consumers.

Daily habits also contribute to plastic ingestion. Personal care products often contain micro plastics, known as "microbeads," found in soaps, scrubs, and toothpaste. Many consumers in Nepal remain unaware that their everyday skincare routines could lead to plastic exposure. Dr. Sabin Sharma, a dermatologist in Kathmandu, encourages consumers to seek out products free from micro plastics, advocating for natural alternatives that pose fewer risks to human health and the environment. Household items made from synthetic materials, such as cleaning supplies and furniture, can also release micro plastics. With regular use, these products can shed tiny plastic fibers into the air, presenting another route of inadvertent exposure over time.

The health implications tied to microplastic ingestion are still under investigation, but research is beginning to uncover potential risks. Studies suggest that microplastics may provoke inflammation, disrupt endocrine functions, and even contribute to various diseases, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, and reproductive issues. In Nepal, where healthcare resources may be limited, the growing burden of plastic-related health problems poses additional strains on the healthcare system. Dr. Pramila Shrestha, a public health expert, emphasizes the urgency of raising awareness regarding these health risks while advocating for more comprehensive studies to understand and mitigate the impact of microplastics on the population.

In conclusion, while the benefits of plastics in modern society are undeniable, the growing challenge of plastic pollution—particularly as it relates to human health—demands urgent attention, especially in resource-limited settings like Nepal. Comprehensive measures, including improved waste management practices, public education campaigns, and regulation of plastic use, are critical to mitigating the impact of plastic contamination in food, air, and water. As the data continues to emerge, it is essential for stakeholders, including policymakers, health professionals, and the general public, to collaborate in adopting sustainable practices that safeguard both human and environmental health.