Nepal's March 5, 2026 general elections—the first since the 2025 Gen Z uprising toppled the government amid anti-corruption protests, are under intense diplomatic scrutiny, especially from India. With CPN-UML leading early counts (78 seats projected) and Nepali Congress trailing, New Delhi fears KP Sharma Oli's potential return could deepen Kathmandu's pro-China pivot, exacerbating border disputes and hydropower tensions. India favors a Congress-led coalition for stable ties, but Gen Z-fueled independents like Rastriya Swatantra Party (21 seats) risk fragmented governance, amplifying Beijing's influence and migration pressures across the open border. The diplomatic community watches closely as outcomes could reshape Himalayan geopolitics and India's northern flank security