Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) represents a comprehensive military strategy that coordinates activities across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace to achieve strategic objectives. This approach synchronizes conventional military operations with non-kinetic capabilities, creating integrated effects that provide decisive advantages over adversaries through unified cross-domain engagement.
The geostrategic alignment between Pakistan and China has crystallized through Islamabad’s integration of Chinese military technology, air defense systems, and satellite-based intelligence capabilities during Operation Sindoor, creating an evolving two-front challenge for India.
Arrest of Chinese nationals
The recent arrest of a Chinese national allegedly attempting to cross the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar’s East Champaran District, accompanied by a Nepali accomplice at Raxaul, represents the fifth such detention in recent weeks, indicating a pattern of unauthorized border crossings. These incidents suggest Beijing’s strategic operations may extend beyond conventional military alliances to include intelligence-gathering activities along sensitive border regions.
Nepal’s position as a buffer state between India and China makes it particularly sensitive to these dynamics. Over the past several years, Chinese nationals have consistently dominated deportation statistics from Nepal, raising questions about border security, criminal activity, and the delicate balance between tourism and national security.
The deportation trend has broader implications for regional security, particularly given ongoing tensions between India and China. Indian security agencies have expressed concerns about potential espionage activities, with some Chinese nationals suspected of gathering intelligence or engaging in activities that could compromise national security.
High-incidences of deportation
Recent data from Nepal’s Department of Immigration paints a clear picture of the scale of this issue. In 2024 alone, Nepal deported 494 foreign nationals, with Chinese citizens accounting for 147 of these cases—nearly 30 percent of all deportations. This continues a troubling trend that has persisted for years, with Chinese nationals representing approximately 47 percent of all deportees over the past seven years.
The deportation issue has become further complicated by problems along the Nepal-India border. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has repeatedly issued warnings to Chinese citizens about traveling to border areas, citing increased patrols and inspections by both Nepalese and Indian authorities. The embassy has noted that several Chinese citizens have been arrested by Indian border forces on charges of illegal entry. Stating that the Nepal-India border presents unique challenges due to its largely open nature with few clear boundary markers, the Chinese embassy stated, “While Nepalese and Indian citizens can cross freely with proper identification, foreign nationals require proper visas to enter India.”
The situation has prompted increased cooperation between Nepalese and Indian border security forces, with joint patrols and enhanced screening procedures becoming more common. This collaboration reflects the shared concern about maintaining regional stability while managing the flow of people across borders.
Chinese enjoy visa-free travel
These statistics become even more significant when considering that Chinese nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Nepal for stays up to 150 days—a privilege extended to encourage tourism and strengthen bilateral relations. Despite this preferential treatment, overstaying violations remain the primary reason for deportations among Chinese visitors.
While visa overstays account for the majority of deportation cases, a disturbing pattern of criminal activity has emerged among some Chinese nationals in Nepal. In 2024, six Chinese individuals faced deportation for serious criminal charges, including rape, child sexual abuse, and banking crimes. Two additional cases involved crimes against public property.
This represents a continuation of concerning trends from previous years. In 2023, 19 Chinese nationals were deported for criminal activities beyond simple visa violations. These cases have included financial fraud, drug-related offenses, and involvement in organized crime networks, creating significant challenges for Nepalese law enforcement agencies.
Base of illicit operations
The criminal activities have raised particular alarm among Nepalese authorities and neighboring countries. Reports suggest that some Chinese nationals have used Nepal as a base for various illicit operations, taking advantage of the country’s open borders and relatively relaxed immigration policies. The situation has become so concerning that some observers worry about Nepal inadvertently becoming a haven for criminal elements.
In 2023, Indian border forces defused a sophisticated Chinese espionage operation which has been exposed following the arrest of three Chinese nationals attempting to infiltrate India through Nepal using fake Nepali identities and fraudulent Indian passports. Indian intelligence agencies had then suspected this represented a broader Chinese plot involving recruited Nepali agents, corrupt passport officials, and Islamist networks operating along the porous India-Nepal border. A concurrent passport scam investigation had then revealed hundreds of fraudulent documents issued to facilitate these infiltrations, with Chinese handlers allegedly funding the substantial bribes required. This coordinated operation highlights the strategic vulnerability of India’s northern borders and the sophisticated nature of China’s intelligence activities in the region.
Moreover, India is apprehensive about the use of its airspace for international flights operating out of Pokhara International Airport in Nepal. Indian agencies believe that this international airport built by China, could be used to collect data relating to Indian military bases and the trajectory of future missile tests.
Nepal’s balancing act
The deportation issue presents Nepal with a delicate balancing act between security concerns and economic interests. Chinese tourists represent a significant source of revenue for Nepal’s tourism industry, and the country has invested heavily in infrastructure projects supported by Chinese investment through the Belt and Road Initiative. However, the persistent problems with visa overstays and criminal activities have forced Nepalese authorities to take a firmer stance on immigration enforcement.
The situation has also highlighted the need for better immigration monitoring mechanisms and enhanced bilateral cooperation. Nepalese officials have worked to strengthen their deportation procedures under the Immigration Act 2049, ensuring that violations are addressed promptly and effectively while maintaining proper legal protections for all foreign nationals.
As Nepal continues to grapple with this challenge, several factors will likely influence future developments. The country’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws while maintaining its appeal as a tourist destination requires careful policy calibration. Enhanced screening procedures, better coordination with Chinese authorities, and improved border management systems may help address some of the current problems.
Concerns of potential espionage networks
The frequency and coordination of these attempted crossings raise serious concerns about potential espionage networks operating under the guise of routine travel, particularly given the broader context of escalating regional tensions between major powers. This development underscores how immigration and border security have become critical components of South Asia’s geopolitical landscape, where traditional boundaries between civilian movement and strategic operations are increasingly blurred, demanding enhanced vigilance and coordinated responses from regional security agencies.
The deportation statistics from Nepal serve as a microcosm of larger challenges facing the region, where traditional concepts of borders, sovereignty, and security are being tested by increased mobility, economic integration, and geopolitical competition. How Nepal and India addresses these challenges will likely influence broader patterns of regional cooperation and security in the years ahead.
For now, the steady stream of deportations continues, reflecting the ongoing struggle to balance openness with security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The resolution of these issues will require sustained effort from all parties involved, including better enforcement mechanisms, enhanced diplomatic cooperation, and a clearer understanding of the legitimate interests and concerns of all stakeholders in the region.
