Nihar R. Nayak

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘Nepali PM’s historic India visit’ has been published in the Nepali English daily ‘The Annapurna Express’ on 10 April 2022.

Although PM Deuba stayed in India for under 72 hours, the visit was well received by people of both the countries. During their joint press briefing, both leaders acknowledged fruitful discussions on wide-ranging issues. They reviewed progress in implementation of Indian projects in Nepal and agreed to further deepen and facilitate trade, energy, investment, and connectivity ties. In another major achievement of the visit, India acknowledged Nepal as one of the main pillars of its ‘neighborhood first’ policy, says Dr Nayak.

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Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘IPCC report paints bleak picture of the Himalayas’ has been published in the Nepalese daily ‘The Annapurna Express’ on 20 Mach 2022.

Climate change risks are imminent in the Himalayan region. Both individual states and HKH member countries as a whole have failed to adapt. Except for China and India, other countries that share topography with the Himalayas, struggle to implement resilient and adaptation programs due to insufficient funds and technology, says Dr Nayak.

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Research Fellow Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘Can Nepal be a reliable energy provider?’ has been published in ‘The Annarnapurna Express’, Kathmandu, on 05 March 2022.

Despite its potential of over 40,000MW electricity, Nepal’s energy dependence on other countries has not ended. Although there have been certain improvements in energy production, Nepal needs to devise new energy policies to address existing challenges and to project itself as a reliable and sustainable energy supplier in South Asia, says Dr Nayak.

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The two Himalayan states—Nepal and Bhutan—adopted a new political system in 2008. Nepal upgraded the existing multiparty system by excluding the monarchy. Therefore, Nepal had Constituent Assembly elections in May 2008.

• Nihar R. Nayak |
• 2021 |
• Monograph

The public faith in the constitution and political system in Nepal has eroded drastically in last one year. However, for now, all eyes are set on whether the Supreme Court would validate the President’s May 22 action.

• Nihar R. Nayak |
• June 17, 2021 |
• IDSA Comments

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli faces tough challenges as he tries to cobble a majority in the House of Representatives.

• Nihar R. Nayak |
• May 21, 2021 |
• IDSA Comments

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article on India Nepal border disputes, titled ‘India-Nepal border disputes: From history to the mystery’ has been published in India Vs Disinformation on May 26, 2020.

Reviving the border dialogue mechanism at the FS level is the only way to find a solution to the border disputes. Since both the parties claim that they have lots of evidence, they need to process towards finding a mutually agreed date for the FS level meeting as soon as possible. Till then, political leaders, civil society groups, media, and common people should refrain from making any hatred remarks, writes Dr. Nayak.

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Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R Nayak’s commentary on India's major conflict theatres, titled ‘INDIA: Assessing Major Conflict Theatres Amid COVID-19 Pandemic’ has been published in the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC) on May 21, 2020.

The commentary analyses the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on India's three major conflict theatres – Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Northeastern (NE) region and Left Wing Extremism (LWE). Before the lockdown these were witnessing violent incidents daily. Interestingly, the impact of the lockdown varied from one conflict theatre to another given the nature of conflicts - objectives, origin, support base and level of conflict, etc.

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The spectre of climate change and increased global warming has spurred more action in recent years. However, with the global economic outlook not likely to pick up any time soon, the temptation to opt for cheaper but dirtier fuels could further complicate the climate change negotiations.

• Shebonti Ray Dadwal, Nihar R. Nayak |
• May 06, 2020 |
• Issue Brief

The prevailing environment has underlined the importance of a balanced market to the oil producers. India has been consistently reiterating the need for oil to be priced responsibly to ensure the stability of the oil market.

• Shebonti Ray Dadwal, Nihar R. Nayak |
• April 24, 2020 |
• IDSA Comments