Nepal’s new Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, has lifted a ban on TikTok that was imposed by his predecessor in November 2023, the Washington Post reported. This move signals a strategic shift towards strengthening ties with China, Nepal’s northern neighbor, and a departure from policies favoring India.
The ban on TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, was initially enacted due to concerns about hate speech and its impact on “social harmony.”
The former government had taken this step after TikTok failed to address issues related to troubling content.
Oli, who leads Nepal’s largest communist party, has been vocal about his opposition to Indian influence in Nepal. During his first term as Prime Minister in 2015, he confronted an economic blockade imposed by India over certain provisions in Nepal’s Constitution. In his second term following the 2017 elections, Oli revised Nepal’s political map in a move that further strained relations with India.
In addition to reinstating TikTok, Nepal and China have agreed to expand several development projects as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This includes an agreement to complete the upgrade of a key highway in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.
Prithvi Subba Gurung, a spokesperson for the Nepalese government, announced that TikTok “will now be required to promote Nepali tourism, support digital safety and literacy, and address hate content.” The app must also appoint a local point of contact.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, celebrated the decision on social media, describing it as a “good day,” which many interpreted as confirmation of successful negotiations.
Oli, who returned to power in July after forming a new ruling coalition, is serving his fourth term as Prime Minister. His predecessor, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was seen as more susceptible to Indian influence and prone to shifting coalition alliances for personal advantage.