Nepalese Student's Suicide at KIIT Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

A tragic incident at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, where a Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, died by suicide, has led to a diplomatic conflict between India and Nepal. Following protests by Nepali students demanding justice, the university initially ordered the evacuation of all Nepali students, which escalated tensions and drew intervention from Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. In response, the Indian Embassy expressed condolences and emphasized its commitment to the well-being of Nepali students, while KIIT has since revoked the evacuation order and urged students to return. The accused, Advik Shrivastava, was arrested as investigations into the circumstances surrounding Lamsal's death continue, with claims of harassment made by her family. State officials have also intervened, assuring the safety of students and facilitating their return to campus. This situation underscores the sensitive nature of international student relations, particularly between India and Nepal.