Nepal College Essay Example

portion of the population practices animism.

4%. [4] Throughout most of its history, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty of kings from 1768,[3] when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified its many small kingdoms, until 2008. A decade-long Civil War involving the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (Now known as the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)) and several weeks of mass protests by all major political parties led to the 12-point agreement[clarification needed] of November 22, 2005. The subsequent elections for the constituent assembly on 28 May 2008 overwhelmingly supported the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal multiparty representative democratic republic. In recent developments, the political parties of Nepal have agreed on forming an interim government under the leadership of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi in order to hold Constituent Assembly elections by November 19, 2013 to end the political deadlock. [14][15]

Etymology Ne Muni Local legends say that a Hindu sage named "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu in prehistoric times and that the word "Nepal" came into existence as the place protected ("pala" in pali) by the sage "Ne". According to the Skanda Purana, a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya.

[16] The Pashupati Purana mentions him as a saint and protector. He is said to have practiced meditation at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers[18] and taught there. [19] The word "Nepal" is believed by most scholars to come from "Nepa:" referring to the Newar Kingdom, present-day Kathmandu Valley. In early Sanskrit sources (Atharvaveda Parisista) and Gupta period inscriptions, the country is called Nepala. Before the advent of the Shah Dynasty, the Newars of present-day Nepal,

the inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley and its surroundings, were referred to as "Nepa-mi" (citizens of Nepa).The birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, is mentioned in ancient Nepal. Ancient Nepal is first mentioned in the late Vedic text Atharvaveda Parisista as a place exporting blankets, and in the post-Vedic Atharva Siras Upanisad.

[20] The Allahabad inscription of Samudragupta mentions Nepal as a bordering country. The 'Skanda Purana' includes a dedicated chapter called 'Nepal Mahatmya' which provides a more detailed description of Nepal's beauty and power. Additionally, Nepal is referenced in Hindu texts like the Narayana Puja. [20] According to Gopal Vansawali, a genealogy of the Nepalese monarchy, the earliest settlers in Nepal were the Gopalas, followed by Mahispala, and then the Kirata. [21] It is believed that the Tibeto-Burman people inhabited Nepal approximately 2,500 years ago. [21] However, there is no archaeological evidence of rulers such as Gopala, Mahispala, or Kirata apart from later documents from the Lichchavi and Malla era that mention them.

[22] In the southern regions of Nepal, around 500 BCE, small kingdoms and confederations of clans emerged. One of these was the Shakya polity, from which a prince named Siddharta Gautama arose. He later renounced his status to lead an ascetic life and became known as the Buddha ("the enlightened one"). At that time, it is believed that the 7th Kirata king, Jitedasti, ruled in the Nepal valley. Around 250 BCE, the southern regions came under the influence of the Mauryan Empire of northern India. Nepal eventually became a nominal vassal state under the Gupta Empire in the fourth century CE. From the 3rd century CE onwards, the Licchavis ruled over the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding

central Nepal. The famous Chinese Buddhist pilgrim monk Xuanzang provides a detailed account of the kingdom of Nepal in his writings, which dates back to a certain period.

645 CE. [23][24] The Licchavi dynasty declined in the late eighth century due to Tibetan dominance, and was succeeded by the Thakuri era from 879 CE (Nepal Samvat 1), although their control over the country is uncertain. It is believed that they controlled the Pokhara area in the 11th century. In the early 12th century, leaders emerged in far western Nepal who were referred to as "malla" meaning "wrestler" in Sanskrit. These kings consolidated their power and reigned for the next 200 years until the kingdom split into numerous smaller states. Another Malla dynasty, starting with Jayasthiti, arose in the Kathmandu valley in the late 14th century and once again brought central Nepal under unified rule.

However, in 1482 the realm was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.

Kingdom of Nepal

The mid-18th century saw the rise of the Kingdom of Nepal through the efforts of Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha king. Shah sought support from India and made deals with neighboring Indian kingdoms to secure his mission. Through fierce battles and sieges, including the notable Battle of Kirtipur, Shah successfully conquered the Kathmandu Valley in 1769.

Father Giuseppe, an eyewitness to the war, authored a detailed account of Prithvi Narayan Shah's victory [25]. The capital of one of the three medieval Newar kingdoms, Patan, housed Hindu temples. The Nepalese overran Sikkim in 1788 and carried out a punitive raid into Tibet. Additionally, they occupied Kangra in northern India. In 1809, Ranjit Singh, the

ruler of the Sikh state in the Punjab, intervened and pushed the Nepalese army east of the Satluj river [26]. The Gorkha dominion reached its peak as it extended its rule over territories in northern India from Kumaon and Garhwal in the west to Sikkim in the east.

Greater Nepal, at its largest extent, spanned from the Tista River in the east to Kangara, including the Sutlej River in the west. It also extended further south into the Terai plains and north of the Himalayas compared to its present borders. A dispute with Tibet regarding control over mountain passes and inner Tingri valleys prompted the Qing Emperor in Peking to launch the Sino-Nepalese War. As a result, Nepal was forced to retreat and pay significant reparations to Peking. The rivalry between Nepal and the British East India Company over annexing neighboring minor states eventually led to the Anglo-Nepalese War (1815–16). Initially, the British underestimated the Nepalese forces and suffered a resounding defeat until they committed more military resources than anticipated. They were greatly impressed by the bravery and competence of their enemies, establishing the renowned reputation of "Gurkhas" as formidable and ruthless soldiers.

The war concluded with the Treaty of Sugauli, which resulted in Nepal relinquishing recently captured portions of Sikkim and lands in Terai, as well as the right to recruit soldiers. Nepalese monarchs gifted the Madheshis' lands, despite their support for the British East India Company during the conflict. The royal family's internal discord caused a period of instability. In 1846, a discovered plot exposed the reigning queen's intention to overthrow Jung Bahadur Kunwar, a rapidly emerging military leader. As a result, the Kot Massacre

occurred; this entailed armed clashes between military personnel and administrators who remained loyal to the queen, leading to the execution of numerous princes and chieftains throughout the nation.

Jung Bahadur Kunwar became successful in establishing the Rana Lineage and was later known as Jung Bahadur Rana. The monarch's role was symbolic, while the Prime Minister position gained power and became hereditary. The Ranas strongly supported the British and provided assistance during the Indian Sepoy Rebellion in 1857 (as well as in both World Wars). As a friendly gesture for Nepal's military aid in maintaining British control during the Sepoy Rebellion, certain areas of the Terai Region, inhabited by non-Nepalese people, were gifted to Nepal by the British. In 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal signed a formal friendship agreement, which replaced the Sugauli Treaty made in 1816.

In the 1920s (specifically in 1924), slavery was abolished in Nepal. However, debt bondage, which also affected the children of debtors, has persisted in the Terai region. The Rana dynasty's rule was characterized by tyranny, debauchery, economic exploitation, and religious persecution (references 28 and 29). Towards the end of the 1940s, movements advocating for democracy and political parties emerged in Nepal to criticize the autocratic rule of the Rana dynasty. At the same time, India sought to counterbalance China's perceived military threat resulting from their invasion of Tibet during the 1950s by increasing its influence in Nepal. In 1951, India supported King Tribhuvan (who ruled from 1911 to 1955) as Nepal's new ruler and established a new government primarily composed of members from the Nepali Congress Party. This marked an end to Rana dominance in the kingdom.

Between 1955 and 1972,

Nepal experienced a power struggle between the king and the government. In 1959, King Mahendra decided to end the democratic experiment and implemented a "partyless" Panchayat system for governing the country. This system remained until 1989 when the "Jan Andolan" or People's Movement led to King Birendra accepting constitutional reforms. As a result of these reforms, a multiparty parliament was established in May 1991.

Additionally, during 1991-92, approximately 100,000 Bhutanese citizens with Nepali descent were expelled from Bhutan. These individuals have been residing in refugee camps located in eastern Nepal ever since. Furthermore, in 1996, the Maoist Communist Party of Nepal initiated a violent campaign aiming to overthrow the royal parliamentary system and establish a people's republic. This conflict became known as the Nepal Civil War and resulted in over 12,000 deaths.

On 1 June 2001, a tragic event took place in the royal palace resulting in significant loss of life. The victims, including King Birendra and Queen Aiswarya, as well as seven other members of the royal family, suffered fatal injuries. Crown Prince Dipendra was identified as responsible for this massacre and later committed suicide three days after. It was believed that Dipendra's actions were motivated by his parents' disapproval of his chosen spouse. However, there is still speculation and uncertainty among the Nepalese population regarding the true perpetrator. Following this tragedy, Gyanendra, King Birendra's brother, assumed the throne.

King Gyanendra dismissed the government and assumed full executive powers on 1 February 2005 to suppress the violent Maoist movement. However, this attempt failed due to a stalemate where the Maoists controlled rural areas but couldn't defeat the military in towns and cities. In September 2005, the Maoists

declared a three-month ceasefire for negotiations.

In response to the democracy movement in 2006, King Gyanendra agreed to give up sovereign power on 24 April 2006. The dissolved House of Representatives was then reinstated. On 18 May 2006, utilizing their newly acquired sovereign authority, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to limit the king's authority and declare Nepal a secular state, ending its longstanding status as a Hindu Kingdom.

Parliament passed a bill amending Article 159 of the constitution on 28 December 2007. This changed "Provisions regarding the King" to "Provisions of the Head of State," officially declaring Nepal a federal republic and abolishing monarchy.

The bill was enacted on 28 May 2008. During the Constituent Assembly election held on 10 April 2008, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) became the largest party and formed a coalition government with most other parties in the CA. Despite some violence before the elections, observers stated that the elections themselves were peaceful and well-executed. The newly-elected Assembly convened in Kathmandu on 28 May 2008. Out of 564 Assembly members, 560 voted in favor of establishing a new government,[33] while the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, with four members in the assembly, expressed dissenting views.

In that time, Nepal was declared a secular and inclusive democratic republic[35]. The government announced a three-day public holiday from 28 to 30 May. citation needed] Within 15 days, the King had to vacate the Narayanhiti Royal Palace which would then be reopened as a public museum.[36]. Despite these developments, Nepal has continued to experience political tensions and conflicts over power-sharing. In May 2009, the Maoist-led government was ousted and replaced by a coalition government consisting of all major political

parties except the Maoists.[37]. Madhav Kumar Nepal from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) became the Prime Minister of this coalition government.[38]. Subsequently, in February 2011, Jhala Nath Khanal from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) took over as the Prime Minister after ousting the Madhav Kumar Nepal Government.

[39] Baburam Bhattarai, a member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), became Prime Minister in August 2011 following the overthrow of the Jhala Nath Khanal Government. [40] Nepal, which has an area of 147,181 km2 (56,827 sq mi), has a trapezoidal shape and measures about 800 kilometres (497 mi) long and 200 kilometres (124 mi) wide. To compare its size with other territories, see the List of territories by size. The country's geographical coordinates range from latitudes 26° to 31°N and longitudes 80° to 89°E. Nepal is typically divided into three distinct regions: Mountain, Hill, and Terai.

Nepal's ecological belts extend from east to west and intersect with the country's major rivers that flow from north to south. The southern border of Nepal, known as the Terai, is part of the Indo-Gangetic plains, which are located on the northern edge of India. These plains were created and are nourished by three main Himalayan rivers: the Kosi, Narayani, and Karnali, along with smaller rivers that originate below the permanent snowline. The Terai region experiences a subtropical to tropical climate. The outermost range of foothills, called Shiwalik or Churia Range, reaches heights of 700 to 1,000 metres (2,297 to 3,281 ft) and marks the boundary of the Gangetic Plain. However, there are broad, low valleys known as Inner Tarai (Bhitri Tarai Uptyaka) located north of these foothills

in various areas. The Hill Region (Pahad) lies adjacent to the mountains and ranges in elevation from 800 to 4,000 metres (2,625 to 13,123 ft). The climate transitions from subtropical below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) to alpine above 3,600 metres (11,811 ft).

The Mahabharat Range marks the southern border of this region, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,921 to 9,843 ft). To the north of this range, there are subtropical river valleys and hills. Population density is high in the valleys, but decreases significantly above 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) and becomes very low above 2,500 metres (8,202 ft), where snow occasionally falls during winter. The Mountain Region (Parbat), located in the Great Himalayan Range, constitutes the northern part of Nepal. It includes the highest elevations in the world, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) which stands at a height of 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) on the China-Nepal border. Nepal also shares its border with China where seven other peaks over eight thousand metres can be found: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu.

Nepal is divided into five climatic zones based on altitude. The zones include the tropical and subtropical zones below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft), the temperate zone between 1,200 and 2,400 metres (3,937 to 7,874 ft), the cold zone between 2,400 and 3,600 metres (7,874 to 11,811 ft), the subarctic zone between 3,600 and 4,400 metres (11,811 to 14,436 ft), and the Arctic zone above 4,400 metres (14,436 ft). There are five seasons in Nepal: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter, and spring. The Himalaya mountains block cold winds from Central Asia during winter and mark the northern limit of monsoon wind

patterns. Deforestation is a significant problem in all regions of Nepal, leading to erosion and degradation of ecosystems. Nepal is renowned for mountaineering adventures due to its exceptionally high and challenging mountains, including Mount Everest.

Most climbers prefer to trek to Everest through Nepal because technically, the south-east ridge on the Nepali side of the mountain is easier to climb. Nepal is completely within the collision zone of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasian continent, which has been ongoing since Paleogene time and continues to this day. This collision has resulted in the formation of the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau, showcasing the effects of plate tectonics. Nepal occupies the central sector of the 2,400 km (1,500 mi)-long Himalayas. The Indian plate is moving north relative to Asia at a rate of approximately 50 mm (2. in) per year, which is remarkably fast considering the magnitudes of the Earth's crust involved. In fact, it is about twice the speed at which human fingernails grow.

The Himalayan Mountains are formed by the subduction of the strong Indian continental crust under the weaker Tibetan crust. This collision zone experiences significant crustal shortening, leading to frequent earthquakes in Nepal, with a major earthquake occurring approximately every 100 years. The Himalayas also serve as a vital source of sediment, which is transported by rivers like the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra to the Bay of Bengal. Due to the diverse elevation ranges in Nepal, various biomes can be found, including tropical savannas near the Indian border, subtropical broadleaf and coniferous forests in the Hill Region, temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests in the Himalayan slopes, and montane grasslands, shrublands, rock, and ice at high

elevations.

The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion is located at the lowest elevations and is accompanied by the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, which can be found between 500 and 1,000 metres (1,600 to 3,300 ft), including the Inner Terai Valleys. Between 1,000 and 2,000 metres (3,300 and 6,600 ft), there are Himalayan subtropical pine forests. Across Nepal, the biogeography is generally separated by the Gandaki River. Ecoregions to the east receive more precipitation and have higher species diversity, while those to the west are drier and less diverse in terms of species.

From elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft), there are temperate broadleaf forests known as the eastern and western Himalayan broadleaf forests. As we move higher to elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,000 ft), we find the eastern and western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. Further up, between elevations of 4,000 and 5,500 metres (13,000 to 18,000 ft), there are the eastern and western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows. These different landscapes and climates can be found in Nepal. Additionally, there is a sunset view from Swayambhunath height in Kathmandu.

View of Khartuwa village from Thakuri village of Sitalpati, Shankhuwasabha, eastern Nepal. NASA Landsat-7 Image of Nepal. Nepal shares its boundaries with India and China. The Annapurna range of the Himalayas.

Lake Phoksundo in Dolpo, Kali Gandaki Gorge (the deepest gorge on earth), Marshyangdi Valley (one of many valleys in the Himalaya created by glacier flows), and Mount Everest (the highest peak on earth) are all notable geographical features in Nepal. Kalopani experiences wind erosion.

A field in Terai. Politics Main article: Politics of Nepal Nepal has seen rapid political changes during

the last two decades. Prior to 1990, Nepal was under the control of a monarchy, with the King having executive power. However, due to a communist movement opposing absolute monarchy, King Birendra agreed to significant political reform in 1990. This resulted in the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy, with the King as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. Nepal's legislature consisted of two chambers: the House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha) and the National Council (Rastriya Sabha).

The House of Representatives consisted of 205 members directly elected by the people. The National Council, on the other hand, had 60 members. Out of these, ten were nominated by the king, 35 were elected by the House of Representatives, and the remaining 15 were elected by an electoral college consisting of chairs of villages and towns. The legislature had a five-year term but could be dissolved by the king before the completion of its term. Every Nepali citizen who was 18 years or older was eligible to vote. In terms of the executive branch, it comprised of the King and the Council of Ministers, also known as the cabinet. The Prime Minister was appointed from the leader of the coalition or party that secured the maximum seats in an election.

The King appointed the Cabinet based on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in Nepal. Governments in the country have historically been unstable, often collapsing internally or being dissolved by the monarch. This is done according to the constitution, and no government has survived for more than two years since 1991. However, in April 2006, a movement brought about significant changes in governance.

An interim constitution was established, and the King relinquished power. Additionally, an interim House of Representatives was formed, which included members from the Maoist rebels after peace talks were held with them. The number of parliamentary seats was also increased to 330. In April 2007, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) joined the interim government. Then, in December 2007, the interim parliament passed a bill that declared Nepal a federal republic and appointed a president as the head of state.

The constitutional assembly elections were held on 10 April 2008, with the Maoist party leading the results but not obtaining a simple majority of seats. At its first meeting, the new parliament overwhelmingly adopted the 2007 bill. Subsequently, King Gyanendra was given 15 days to vacate the Royal Palace in central Kathmandu, which he did on 11 June. On 26 June, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who had been Acting Head of State since January 2007, announced his resignation pending the election of the country's first president by the Constituent Assembly. The initial voting round on 19 July resulted in Parmanand Jha winning the position of Nepali vice-president, while neither presidential contender received the necessary 298 votes. As a result, a second round was held two days later.

Ram Baran Yadav, a member of the Nepali Congress party, won the election with 308 out of the 590 votes. His opponent, Ram Raja Prasad Singh, had the support of the Maoists. Following Yadav's swearing-in ceremony on July 23, Koirala resigned and submitted his resignation to the new president. On August 15, 2008, Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal), leader of the Maoists, was elected as Nepal's first Prime Minister after

the country became a republic and abolished the monarchy. Prachanda made this announcement during a rally in Pokhara.

On 4 May 2009, Dahal resigned due to ongoing conflicts regarding the dismissal of the Army chief. Since Dahal's resignation, the country has been in a significant political impasse, with one of the major issues being the integration of the former Maoist combatants, also known as the People's Liberation Army, into the national security forces. [53] Following Dahal, Jhala Nath Khanal from CPN (UML) was elected as the Prime Minister. However, Khanal was compelled to resign as he failed to make progress in advancing the Peace Process and drafting the constitution.

On August 2011, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai, a Maoist, was elected as Nepal's third Prime Minister after the constituent assembly election. [54] Shortly after, on 24 May 2012, Krishna Sitaula, the Deputy Prime Minister, resigned from his position. [55] Then, on 27 May 2012, the country's Constituent Assembly was unable to meet the deadline for writing a new constitution for Nepal.

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has announced that new elections are scheduled to take place on 22 November. In a nationally televised speech, he stated that there are no other options except to return to the people and elect a new assembly for the purpose of writing the constitution. The main point of contention has been whether the newly created states should be based on ethnicity. [56] Nepal stands out in Asia as one of the few countries to abolish the death penalty[57], and it holds the distinction of being the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. This landmark decision was made after a government committee consisting of

seven members conducted a study, and it was implemented with the endorsement of the Supreme Court in November 2008.

The ruling by Nepal's Supreme Court in 2007 granted full rights for LGBT individuals, including the right to marry. Additionally, it allowed individuals to obtain citizenship as a third gender, rather than being categorized as male or female. Nepal, being a mountainous country with a reliance on agriculture, hydropower, and tourism for its economy, is facing the impacts of climate change such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and drought. The government has introduced new initiatives and institutional reforms in response to these challenges. Nepal operates under a multi-party system federal republic, as defined by the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063.

The Council of Ministers holds executive power in Nepal, including the authority to issue general directives and oversee the administration. The Prime Minister, who is the head of the government, appoints the Ministers.

When appointing Ministers, the Prime Minister shall select them from the members of the Legislature-Parliament, based on the recommendation of the relevant political party. The Legislature-Parliament of Nepal is unicameral and currently functions as the legislative body, with a composition of 601 members.

Out of the total number of members in the parliament, 240 are elected directly by the people from different constituencies, while 335 members are elected based on proportional representation. In addition, 26 members are nominated by the cabinet. All bills are introduced in the parliament and need to be passed by a majority vote.

After receiving approval, a law is enacted, making the parliament responsible for creating all laws. The legislative branch has control over the country's finances and passes an annual budget, dictating

how the government allocates its funds. The legislative branch also has the power to question the government's actions and can withdraw its support, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the government.

Under the Constitution, the legislative has control over the executive, while the judiciary consists of three tiers of courts: the Supreme Court of Nepal, the Court of Appeal, and the District Courts. The Supreme Court functions as the Apex Court, overseeing all courts and judicial institutions except for the constitutional assembly court.

There is no distinction between Criminal and Civil court except for some basic procedures. The District Court acts as the initial court, and appeals are heard by the Court of Appeal. There is also the possibility of establishing special courts or tribunals to handle specific cases as mandated by the constitution. Presently, there are four Revenue Tribunals, one Administrative Court, one Labor Court, one Debt Recovery Tribunal, one Debt Recovery Appeal Tribunal, and one special court operating under respective laws.

These institutions are under the judicial control of the Supreme Court. There are 16 Court of Appeal and 15 Districts in Nepal. The Supreme Court is also the ultimate interpreter of the constitution.

Subdivisions Main articles: Development Regions of Nepal, List of zones of Nepal, and List of districts of Nepal Administrative subdivisions of Nepal Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts, grouped into five development regions. Each district is headed by a permanent chief district officer responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries. The five regions and 14 zones are: Eastern Region (Purwanchal) Koshi Mechi Sagarmatha Central Region (Madhyamanchal) Bagmati Janakpur

Narayani Western Region (Pashchimanchal) Dhawalagiri Gandaki Lumbini Mid-Western Region (Madhya Pashchimanchal) Bheri Karnali Rapti Far-Western Region (Sudur Pashchimanchal) Mahakali Seti

Foreign relations and military Main articles: Nepalese Armed Forces and Foreign relations of Nepal A member of the Nepalese Quick Reactionary Force (QRF) Nepal has close ties with both of its neighbours, India and China.

According to a long-standing treaty, citizens of India and Nepal are allowed to travel between the two countries without needing a passport or visa. Nepalese citizens have the freedom to work in India without any legal restrictions. The Indian Army includes seven Gorkha regiments comprising of troops primarily recruited from Nepal. The Khukuri is a symbolic weapon used by the Nepalese Army as well as the Gurkha. However, due to the dominance of socialist leaders in the Government of Nepal and right-wing parties in India, there has been a remilitarization of the porous Indo-Nepali border by India. This move aims to prevent the entry of Islamist groups into the country. Nepal established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on August 1st, 1955, and the relationship has been based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Nepal provided assistance to China, and China has reciprocated by offering economic aid for infrastructure development in Nepal.

Both countries have collaborated to host the 2008 Summer Olympics summit of Mt. Everest. [62] Nepal has aided in suppressing anti-China protests by the Tibetan diaspora. [63] Nepal's military comprises the Nepalese Army, including the Nepalese Army Air Service. The Nepalese Police Force serves as the civilian police, while the Armed Police Force Nepal [64] functions as the paramilitary force.

Service

is voluntary and the minimum age for enlistment is 18 years. Nepal spends $99.2 million (2004) on its military, which accounts for 1.5% of its GDP. A significant portion of the equipment and arms are imported from India. As a result, the United States has supplied M16s, M4s, and other Colt weapons to combat Maoist insurgents.

The Colt M16 is the standard-issue battle rifle of the Nepalese army. In acc