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In view of the recent developments in Bangladesh, Nepal has increased vigilance in the border areas.

Vigilance along with additional forces has been increased in the border areas and international transit points to avoid infiltration and illegal entry of foreign nationals.

Following directives of the Central Security Committee, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force of Nepal have stated that a circular has been issued to subordinate units to strengthen the security by increasing personnel based on need and to adopt high vigilance along with the assessment of the situation.

Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, said that the security system has been bolstered by deploying additional forces along with the currently deployed security personnel. "Security personnel have been instructed to be alert at the airport and entry and exit points, especially in the Tarai and areas bordering with neighboring India, and make security arrangements after assessing potential risks."

Likewise, spokesperson of Armed Police Force Nepal, Deputy Inspector General Kumar Neupane, shared that security has been strengthened by increasing personnel in the border areas while remaining alert to the infiltration of people from other countries.

Eleven containers loaded with molasses for exports to Bangladesh have been stuck along the eastern transit point, Kakarbhitta.

Protest that began last month over a 'controversial' quota system for governmental jobs has now escalated to nationwide unrest. Its direct impact has been seen on Nepal's trade as well.  

The trade with Bangladesh that had come to a total halt in mid-July resumed a few days ago. But again, the border has been closed for the next three days.

According to Nepal Transit and Warehousing Management Company Limited, branch office, Kakarbhitta, some containers have remained stuck in the Phulbari-Banglabandh transitional transit point of Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

Similarly, containers en route to Nepal from Bangladesh have failed to cross the transit.

Office Chief Subash Pandey said the supplies were disrupted with the unrest becoming intense.  "We have no idea how long it will take to return to normalcy."

According to the Office data, in the first 11 days of the current fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25), Nepal exported goods worth over Rs 13.5 million to Bangladesh while the value of imports exceeded Rs 206.5 million.

The Mechi Customs Office, Kakarbhitta said Nepal exports pulse, herbal products, molasses, foodstuff, animal feed, Khayar (Black catechu), and coloring agents to Bangladesh.

It imports jute, soybean husk, allopathic medicines, lead-acid batteries, garments, fruit juice, glass sheets, biscuits, and chocolates from Bangladesh.  Nepali students who had been in Bangladesh in the course of pursuing higher degrees in various universities have returned home following the unrest.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has directed the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to actively engage in the protection of Nepali students in Bangladesh amid the ongoing unrest there.

Taking stock of the current situation of Bangladesh with the Embassy through telephone, Minister Rana issued a directive to actively participate in the protection of the Nepali students.

Nepali Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari informed that all the Nepalis including students in Bangladesh are safe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Saying that although most of the students have already returned home, Minister Rana directed the Embassy to keep in touch with the Nepali people who are still there and take necessary initiatives for the protection.

The Dhaka-based Nepali Embassy has issued a notice on Monday urging all the Nepali to stay safe and exercise caution.

The notice stated that most of the students have returned home from Bangladesh and currently there are 400 students who are in safe hands.  

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.

Bangladesh's army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Monday he would "form an interim government" after the prime minister resigned and fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

"I am taking full responsibility," the general said, dressed in military fatigues and cap, although it was not immediatly clear if he would head a caretaker government.

"We will form an interim government," Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television, adding that Sheikh Hasina had resigned.

"The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed -- it is time to stop the violence," he added.

"I hope after my speech, the situation will improve."

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members -- but not Hasina's Awami League.

Waker is a career infantry officer who has spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two tours as a UN peacekeeper as well as in the prime minister's office.

"If the situation gets better, there is no need for emergency", he said, vowing the new authorities would "prosecute all murders" following weeks of deadly protests.

"Now the task of the students is to keep calm and help us," he said.

Bedecked with medal ribbons on his green uniform, the mild-looking and spectacle-wearing officer was appointed to the military's top job as chief of army staff earlier this year. AFP 

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.

According to Daily Star, Hasina left Dhaka on Monday for a "safer place". According to Reuters, she will be landing in India today. News agency AFP reported that she and her sister have left Gono Bhaban, her official residence.

"She wanted to record a speech. But she could not get an opportunity to do that," a source close to her told AFP.

Daily Star also reported that protesters entered Gono Bhaban around 3 pm.

At least six people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas on Monday, Daily Star newspaper reported.

Thousands of Bangladeshi protesters stormed the palace of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka Monday, with a source telling AFP she had fled mass demonstrations demanding she quit.

Bangladesh's Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the premier's official residence in the capital, waving to the camera as they celebrated.

Visuals broadcast on Bangladeshi TV channels showed protesters storming Hasina's palace, overturning furniture, smashing glass door panels, and carrying off books and other items including a live chicken.

"I am inside the Ganabhaban Palace," Bangladeshi journalist Yeasir Arafat told AFP. "There are more than 1,500 people inside the palace. They are breaking furniture and glasses".

A source close to Hasina told AFP that the 76-year-old had left Dhaka with her sister for "a safer place", adding that she had "wanted to record a speech but she could not get an opportunity to do that."

The Prothom Alo daily also reported Hasina had fled the capital. AFP 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba informed that all Nepali students in Bangladesh are safe.

She took to social media this morning to share the information about the status of Nepali students and other Nepalis living in Bangladesh.

"The Dhaka-based Nepali Embassy has been regularly in touch with local authorities, college administration and Nepali students regarding their safe stay, security and other assistance as required", the minister said.

The situation evolving due to the recent developments in Bangladesh has affected Nepali students living there, she said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made proper arrangements for them to stay there safely and return to Nepal if needed. Minister Rana said that the Embassy has been instructed to make necessary coordination for the safety of students living there and facilitate their travel for those who want to return to Nepal.

On Sunday alone, 115 Nepali students had returned home by air and 305 through Kakadbhitta border point. Foreign Ministry officials welcomed 57 Nepali students who returned home on Sunday morning at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

A 'help desk' has been set up at the Ministry and a responsible office has been designated for necessary coordination, the minister further shared. The Nepali Embassy in Dhaka has been keeping regular contact to assist Nepali students after the news of their issues due to the recent developments in Bangladesh.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1,200 students have returned home from Bangladesh till Sunday. The local students in Bangladesh have been protesting against the quota system in employment set by the government.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that 17 students studying in Bangladesh will be brought to Kathmandu today.

The Prime Minister said that arrangements have been made to bring back 17 Nepali students studying at Inam Medical College in Sawar region of Bangladesh, as per the request of the concerned families.

In a message released by Prime Minister Oli on Saturday night on social media, he said, "Due to the protest demanding the abolition of the quota system in government service in Bangladesh, Nepali students are insecure. Today I met with the families of those students. According to the request of the family, arrangements have been made to bring 17 Nepali students studying at Inam Medical College in Sawar area to Dhaka airport at 4 am tomorrow and then to Kathmandu."

Prime Minister Oli has also mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a notice to fill the online form for the facilitation of other students who want to return to Nepal.

In Bangladesh, students are protesting against the reservation imposed in government service.

Around 3, 000 Nepali students are currently studying in various universities in Bangladesh, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka.

The Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh has urged all Nepali students studying there to stay safe and not to go out from their hostel or residence except for essential works.

Issuing a press statement today, the Nepali Embassy also requested the Nepali students there to comply with the instructions of their college administration due to security concerns.

The Embassy's appeal came at the time when the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh decided to shut down all government and private education institutions (universities, colleges and schools) until further notice after the ongoing demonstration/protests waged by university students against the 'quota' system.

The Embassy has requested the Nepali students there to contact Second Secretary Yojana Bamjam and Riya Chettri at +880180691013 and + 8801745407958 in case if the college administrations ask the student to shift to safer and places or if the places they are residing has unfavorable situation.

The Embassy further said that it had been closely monitoring the latest developments in Bangladesh and had been continuously coordinating efforts with the government of Bangladesh and concerned college administrations to ensure peace and security for all Nepali students in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has sent a letter to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to sign an agreement for the sale and purchase of 40 MW electricity produced in Nepal.

The BPDP sent the letter for the agreement, sharing that the tender submitted by the NEA for the sale of 40 MW power for six months during the rainy season was approved by the concerned body, according to the NEA.

In accordance with the provision in the law, a trilateral agreement was signed between Bangladesh, India and Nepal on January 1, 2024 for the sale of 40 MW electricity produced in Nepal. 

The NEA had called for tender for the purchase of power for five years as per this.  Sharing that the tender was approved by the concerned body by evaluating the documents related to tender, the BPDP informed the NEA about the approval of the tender. 

The NEA has to send written notice about the approval of the tender within seven working days after that the BPDP would provide a draft of the agreement regarding sale of the power to the NEA. 

An agreement should be signed within 28 days after receiving the draft. An agreement would be signed between NEA, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (VVN), India and BPDP.

NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said works have been started to export power to Bangladesh from this monsoon season by completing all the remaining processes.

"Since all the three agencies agreed on the draft of the trilateral power trading agreement, the pact would be signed soon. After this, we will send a list of the projects to the Central Power Authority of India for its approval for exporting power to Bangladesh," NEA Executive Director Ghising said.

According to Ghising, they are sending to the concerned authorities of India proposals for exporting electricity to Bangladesh for which approval has already been taken, as it would take time to get approval when proposals for power export from new projects are sent.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet has directed the NEA leadership before this to finalize the process required for selling power to Bangladesh. Minister Basnet is also the Chairman of the NEA Board of Directors.

NEA has made preparations for exporting to Bangladesh the power produced from the projects constructed with Indian grant, and the electricity generated from the 25-Megawatt Trishuli and the 22-Megawatts Chilime hydropower project constructed by its subsidiary company.

NEA will sell 40 megawatts of power to Bangladesh in the six months (June 15 to November 15) every year at the rate of 6.40 US dollars per unit.

The NEA will receive the price of the electricity to be exported to Bangladesh via the inter-country Dhalkebar-Muzafarpur 400 kV transmission line at the Muzaffarpur point, India. This transmission line is the first inter-country transmission line between Nepal and India. This means, the electricity meter of the power exported to Bangladesh would be installed at Muzaffarpur. It is stated that NEA will itself bear the cost of the technical leakage occurring on the transmission line from Dhalkebar to Muzaffarpur.

The electricity exported from Nepal will reach Bangladesh from Muzaffarpur via the Baharampur (India)-Bhermara (Bangladesh) 400 kV transmission line of India.

Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup with a dramatic eight-run victory over Bangladesh under the Duckworth Lewis System in St Vincent on Monday, joining India as the qualifiers from Group 1 and sending Australia home, according to Reuters.

Bangladesh also had a chance to progress or send Australia through with a victory but the Afghans dismissed them for 105 to take the win they needed to set up a first World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Trinidad on Wednesday.

Afghanistan hopes were dented when they were restricted to a modest 115-5 but skipper Rashid Khan took 4-23 and Naveen-ul-Haq 4-26 in a defiant bowling effort that delivered victory.

The last few overs were high drama played out well past midnight local time with Bangladesh needing roughly a run a ball and the DLS calculations in case of more rain changing with every wicket and boundary.

Naveen delivered the coup de grace in the penultimate over by bowling Taskin Ahmed and trapping Mustafizur Rahman in front off consecutive balls, triggering tearful celebrations from his team mates.

India, who beat Australia by 24 runs earlier in St Lucia to leave the qualification hopes of the 2021 champions hanging by a thread, will take on title holders England in the second semi-final in Guyana on Thursday.

Rashid won the toss and elected to bat first, sending out the same team that stunned Australia at the same Arnos Vale Ground on Saturday to give themselves a shot at the semis.

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran scored a third century partnership of the tournament to build the foundation for that upset and Bangladesh were desperate to separate them quickly.

The Bangladesh bowlers made scoring mighty hard as they combined for 66 dot balls over the innings but they were unable to break the partnership until the 11th over when it was worth 59 runs.

Rishad Hossain (3-26) did the damage by having Ibrahim caught on the offside for 18 and the leg spinner returned to remove Gurbaz for 43 as Afghanistan collapsed from 84-1 to 93-5 in 11 balls.

Afghan skipper Rashid rallied with three sixes in his 10-ball 19 and was so desperate to score that he hurled his bat down the wicket at his batting partner Karim Janat in fury when refused a second run in the final over.

After a brief rain delay, Bangladesh set off at a fair lick as they chased the win in 12.1 overs that they needed to get their run rate up.

Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Tanzid Hasan lbw in the second over and Naveen removed Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan in successive balls before another shower swept in with the score at 31-3.

Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar bumped the score up to 46-3 by the end of the powerplay but Rashid brought himself on and bowled the latter for 10 from his fourth delivery.

Rashid came back on to dismiss Towhid Hridoy (14), captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hossain, the latter two in successive balls to reduce Bangladesh to 80-7 just before another shower forced the players off again.

Bangladesh’s target was reduced to 114 in 19 overs after the break but their hopes of reaching the semi-finals were now gone, though opener Litton Das stood firm even as his batting partners departed in the late drama to score 54 not out.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid as a landmark in sub-regional energy cooperation. 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Saturday, Modi emphasized that the swift implementation of such large-scale initiatives in multiple areas within just one year reflects the dynamic pace and scope of bilateral relations.

Last year, Nepal and India signed a long-term power trade agreement, which included India's consent to facilitate the sale of Nepali electricity to Bangladesh. Officials from Nepal and Bangladesh are currently finalizing the modalities of this agreement.

The joint statement underscored the commitment to expanding power and energy collaboration and developing intra-regional electricity trade. This includes competitively-priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, transmitted through the Indian electricity grid. To support this initiative, India will expedite the construction of a 765 kV high-capacity Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar interconnection, with suitable Indian financial assistance, to serve as a key anchor for grid connectivity.

Modi and Hasina also discussed regional issues, highlighting the potential of the India-Bangladesh relationship as a major anchor for regional and sub-regional integration under the BIMSTEC, SAARC, and IORA frameworks. They committed to working together on global platforms to advance their common interests, particularly those of the Global South.

As part of sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will provide transit facilities for the movement of Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan via the railway network. The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to the early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to enhance sub-regional connectivity.

Recognizing the significant contribution of their partnership to regional peace, security, and stability, India and Bangladesh reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. With converging visions for the Indo-Pacific and awareness of the region's vulnerability to climate change, India and Bangladesh will co-lead the ‘Disaster Risk Reduction and Management’ pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). They will cooperate to mitigate disaster risks, build disaster-resilient infrastructure, and contribute to the sustainability of their shared maritime region.

Nepal suffered a 21-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup on Monday.

The match was held at the Ornos Vale stadium of St Vincent, the West Indies.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, Bangladesh posted a total of 106 runs in 19.3 overs losing all the wickets.

Chasing the target, Nepal made 85 runs in 19.2 overs losing all the wickets.

Kushal Malla contributed 27 runs off 40 balls, hitting one four and one six for Nepal.

Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee scored 25 runs off 31 balls with one six and two fours.

Opener Asif Sheikh made 17 runs off 14 balls hitting four boundaries while other batters failed to score in double digits.

Meanwhile, Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed the highest four wickets for Bangladesh.

Likewise, Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed took three, two and one wickets respectively.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan scored 17 runs, Mahmudullah and Rishad Hossain made 13 runs each and Jaker Ali and Taskin Ahmed contributed 12 runs each. Other batters failed to score in double figures.

For Nepal, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets each.

With the win, Bangladesh have advanced to the Super Eight.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Lamichhane has become the first Nepali bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20Is. He completed the 100 wickets in 56 matches.

Nepal are scheduled to play the 'Group D' final match against Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup on Monday.

The match will begin at 5:15 am (Nepali time) in the Ornos Vale stadium of St Vincent, the West Indies.

As Nepal failed to advance to the quarter finals, the match did not count for the score. It is, however, considered significant for Bangladesh.

South Africa clinched top position with eight points from Group ‘D’, thereby entering the second round of the World Cup. The second group to reach super eight from Group ‘D’ is yet to be finalized.

Bangladesh will secure second position and enter into the Super Eight if they defeat Nepal.

Bangladesh have four points.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase of Bangladesh has approved a proposal to import 40 MW of hydropower from Nepal.  Bangladeshi officials say the two countries are likely to sign the final agreement on energy trade during their Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Nepal. This marks a stepping stone toward unlocking the vast potential for energy cooperation between the two South Asian nations.

While Nepal, as per a study conducted decades ago, has hydropower potential of over 80,000 MW, generation of about 42,000 MW is considered economically viable. However, only a fraction of this potential has been harnessed so far. By tapping into this renewable energy source, Nepal can not only meet its domestic energy demands but also become the largest exporters of clean energy in the region. Bangladesh is grappling with a growing energy demand, thanks to its burgeoning economy and rapid urbanization. Import of hydropower from Nepal presents a win-win solution for both countries. While it opens up new avenues for revenue generation for Nepal, contributing to economic growth and narrowing down its trade, Bangladesh can diversify its energy mix, reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of its energy consumption. Bangladesh currently imports 2,600 MW from India, including 1,500 MW from Adani Group’s coal-fired plant in Jharkhand.

While the quantum of import is small, it paves the way for larger and more ambitious energy trade agreements between the two South Asian neighbors. Bangladesh has shown interest to develop a hydropower project of around 500 MW in Nepal. Talks are underway to jointly develop the Sunkoshi-3 hydropower project (683 MW) in Kavre by also involving India. The fifth meeting of the secretary-level Joint Steering Committee on energy cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh held last year decided that the NEA and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) would sign a joint venture agreement within the next six months to develop the project. There, however, has been no further development in this direction.

To fully capitalize on this opportunity, Nepal must address the infrastructural and regulatory challenges that have hindered the development of the hydropower sector. India's support is crucial in facilitating electricity transmission as Nepal and Bangladesh are not connected by land. Collaboration among these three nations could unlock the true potential of cross-border energy trade, thereby fostering economic growth and regional integration.

The third Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Nepal and Bangladesh was held in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal led the Nepali delegation while Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladeshi delegation.   

The two sides discussed regional issues of mutual interest, underscoring the need to revitalize SAARC and strengthen BIMSTEC for the promotion of regional cooperation. They agreed to cooperate at various multilateral forums, especially at the UN, for pursuing common interests, especially in the areas of LDC graduation, poverty alleviation, climate change, and safety and security of migrant workers.

They discussed all major issues of mutual interest and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially trade and commerce, transit and connectivity, power and energy, tourism, culture and education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.

Both foreign secretaries emphasized the operationalization of the BBIN MVA framework to contribute to the individual country’s economy not only by expanding trade and connectivity, but also by creating more opportunities to promote people-to-people contacts.

Foreign Secretary Lamsal highlighted the need to tap full potential in economic, cultural and educational sectors through a meaningful collaborative partnership between the two neighbors by involving their private sectors. 

Nepal would like to enhance trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh, Lamsal said and asked Bangladesh to explore investment opportunities in Nepal, including in the hydropower sector. Furthermore, she requested the Government of Bangladesh to eliminate the Other Duties and Charges (ODCs) levied on Nepali products being exported to Bangladesh. Lamsal also emphasized the exchange of visits at different levels.

Foreign Secretary Momen stressed the need for an early conclusion of a power agreement between Bangladesh, India and Nepal to enable his country to import power from Nepal. He thanked the Government of Nepal for allocating land for the construction of a monastery in Lumbini, expressing hope that it would turn out to be a milestone in bilateral relations.