Nepal Protests Disrupt Indo–Nepal Travel and Trade
Escalating protests led by Nepal’s Gen Z have brought significant disruptions to travel, tourism, and trade between India and Nepal. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport has been temporarily shut down, forcing several flights—including IndiGo, FlyDubai, and Thai Lion Air—to divert to Indian cities like Lucknow and Delhi. IndiGo has announced a suspension of all flights to and from Kathmandu until 6 PM on September 10, while Air India and SpiceJet have also cancelled services for the day, affecting thousands of passengers.The unrest has hit the tourism sector hard, especially in Gorakhpur, where bus ridership across the Sonauli border point has dropped by 30–50%. Travel agents are redirecting tourists to domestic destinations such as Varanasi and Ayodhya, causing hotels, tour operators, and local businesses to experience a sharp decline in demand.Beyond tourism, the protests are raising serious concerns over trade and supply chains. India exported goods worth over $7.3 billion to Nepal in FY25, including petroleum, machinery, vehicles, and consumer products. Industry analysts warn that prolonged unrest could disrupt the essential trade corridor, affecting bilateral commerce and cross-border supply flows.The situation remains fluid, with authorities monitoring the developments closely and assessing the broader economic impact.