Deep Dive: India-Nepal border to close from March 2 midnight ahead of Nepal polls

India's decision to close its border with Nepal from March 2 midnight reflects longstanding bilateral security protocols during sensitive political events like elections. The porous 1,800-km Indo-Nepal border, rooted in the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, has historically facilitated free movement of people and goods but also poses risks for cross-border disruptions during Nepal's polls. As a landlocked nation, Nepal relies heavily on India for trade routes, and temporary closures underscore India's strategic interest in maintaining stability in its Himalayan neighborhood amid Nepal's volatile politics. From a geopolitical lens, this move aligns with India's broader strategy to prevent external interference in Nepal's elections, where pro-China factions have gained traction in recent years. Nepal's major parties, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, navigate a delicate balance between Indian and Chinese influences, with Kathmandu's geography amplifying Delhi's leverage through transit dependencies. The closure minimizes potential for migrant workers or illicit flows that could sway voter dynamics or spark unrest. Regionally, this impacts immediate border communities in India's Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states and Nepal's southern plains, where daily cross-border life sustains local economies. Beyond the neighborhood, it signals to China, Nepal's alternative partner via the Belt and Road Initiative, the limits of India's tolerance for shifting alliances. Long-term, such measures reinforce India's dominance in SAARC dynamics while highlighting Nepal's perennial dilemma of balancing two giant neighbors. Looking ahead, the border's swift reopening post-polls will be crucial for normalizing trade, but repeated closures could strain public sentiment in Nepal, fueling nationalist rhetoric against perceived Indian overreach. This event encapsulates the nuanced power interplay in South Asia, where geography dictates diplomacy and elections test enduring treaties.