Armed soldiers stood guard outside Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday as streets remained deserted under an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu, following two days of deadly anti-corruption protests that led Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.

The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was unleashed by a social media ban announced last week, but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.

Burnt vehicles and twisted metal heaps littered the area around parliament, where army firefighters battled to douse a blaze in the main hall, while the exterior was charred after angry protesters set it ablaze on Tuesday.

“We are trying to normalise the situation first,” army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said. “We are committed to protecting the life and property of people.”

Armoured vehicles kept vigil in streets deserted except for a few strollers, with shops and markets shut.

Several other government buildings, from the supreme court to ministers’ homes, including Oli’s private residence, were also set ablaze in Tuesday’s protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.

Nepali army soldiers clear debris from a road near the Singha Durbar office complex following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Flights were disrupted, with the main airport in Kathmandu shut until 6pm, an airport spokesperson said.

TALKS TO DEFUSE CRISIS

In an appeal on X, the army said prohibitory orders would stay until Thursday morning, adding that relevant parties were coordinating to tackle the situation after the protest and resolve the issue.

Media also said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, without giving details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.

Former Supreme Court judge Balaram K.C. urged the protesters to set up a negotiation team, with the army helping to maintain law and order, and called for fresh elections.

“Parliament should be dissolved and fresh elections held,” the constitutional expert told Reuters. “They should discuss forming the next caretaker government.”

Charred remains of a Nepal Police vehicle sit inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Most of the protesters were young people voicing frustration at the government’s perceived failure to fight corruption and boost economic opportunities.

For years, a lack of jobs has driven millions to seek work in countries such as Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea, mainly on construction sites, so as to send money home.

Members of the media stand in front of the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Wedged between India and China, Nepal has struggled with political and economic instability since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.

India’s security cabinet also met late on Tuesday to discuss the situation in its neighbour.

Members of the media walk inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

“Nepal’s stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X later.

“I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a rare rebuke to Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s strikes in Qatar, emphasizing that he had no involvement in the attack carried out by one close US ally against another.

Trump said he was not notified in advance of the Israeli attack on the Gulf state, a crucial broker in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants.

“I’m not thrilled about the whole situation,” Trump told reporters during a rare outing to a Washington restaurant.

“We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down today.”

The Israeli attack on Doha could hardly be more sensitive as Qatar, in addition to its role in the Gaza negotiations.

Is home to a huge US airbase and hosted Trump during a Middle East swing this year.

The fuel-rich emirate also recently gave the United States a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for Trump to use as his presidential plane.

A move that sparked major ethical questions.

“This was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me,” Trump said in a post on social media.

“I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack,” he said — although adding that eliminating Hamas was still a “worthy goal.”

In a statement that largely echoed one issued earlier by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump focused on the possible damage to his efforts to end the war in Gaza.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States.

That is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” Trump said.

‘Too late’

The US president was at pains to point out that Washington was caught unawares by the Israeli attack.

He said the White House was “notified by the United States Military that Israel was attacking Hamas which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha.”

“I immediately directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did, however, unfortunately, too late to stop the attack.”

Trump said he had spoken to Netanyahu in the aftermath, and tried to put a positive gloss on the affair.

“The Prime Minister told me that he wants to make Peace. I believe this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for PEACE,” he said.

Leavitt told reporters earlier that Trump had given Netanyahu a “very clear” message about his “concerns.”

Trump’s rebuke of Netanyahu was uncommon, as the US president has given the Israeli leader almost unstinting backing since returning to the Oval Office in January.

Israel’s ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter said in a Fox News interview Tuesday that the United States and Israel were “united in the effort of eliminating Hamas as being a threat to peace in the Middle East.”

“We have acted together in the past, we’ll act together in the future,” Leiter added.

As Qatar complained about the attack, Trump said he had now directed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize a defense cooperation agreement with Doha.

Trump added that he had assured Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a phone call that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”

Doha had earlier insisted it had no warning of the attack.

“The call received from an American official came as explosions sounded from the Israeli attack in Doha,” .

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said on social media.

Qatar has once again found itself caught in the crossfire of the turmoil in the Middle East.

Iran fired missiles at the US Al Udeid airbase in June in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

• Trump hopes for successful US-India trade deal.
• Modi calls US and India close friends, partners.
• Trump earlier imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods.

US President Donald Trump has said that his administration is continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with India and that he would talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising hopes of a deal after weeks of discord.

Trump, in a marked shift of tone, said he looked forward to speaking to Modi in the “upcoming weeks” and expressed optimism that they could finalise a trade deal.

“I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries,” he said in a post on social media.

Modi reciprocated the optimism in a social media post on Wednesday, saying Washington and New Delhi “are close friends and natural partners.”

He said teams from both countries are working to conclude the trade discussions at the earliest.

“I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people,” Modi said.

Trump last week said India had offered to reduce its tariffs on US goods to zero, adding that the proposal was late and the South Asian country should have lowered its duties years ago.

The US president’s more upbeat message came after months of roller-coaster talks that have strained US-India ties.

India’s chief economic adviser this week warned that Trump’s 50% tariffs imposed on Indian exports to the US could shave half a percentage point off India’s gross domestic product this year.

Trump had promised for months that the two sides were close to clinching a trade deal, only to double new tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, sparking questions about the future of the US-India relationship, which had strengthened in recent years, including during Trump’s first term.

Trump imposed the higher tariffs on India after New Delhi refused to stop buying Russian oil in defiance of his efforts to end Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Trump was pressing the European Union to impose 100% duties on imports from India and China.

US-India two-way goods trade totalled $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.8 billion US trade deficit, according to US Census Bureau data.