Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle thanked India for its support in rescue and relief operations following flash floods in Rasuwa, while both sides discussed strengthening Nepal-India cooperation in investment, energy and connectivity.
Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has thanked the Government of India for its support in rescue and relief operations following the recent devastating flash floods in Rasuwa, highlighting the continued humanitarian assistance extended by New Delhi to Nepal.
Wagle met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, according to the Embassy of Nepal in India. During the meeting, the Nepalese Finance Minister expressed appreciation for India’s assistance in ongoing rescue and relief efforts after the flash floods affected the Rasuwa region.
“Hon. Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Finance Minister of Nepal, met H.E. Dr. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, in New Delhi. Minister Wagle thanked the Government of India for its support in rescue and relief efforts following the recent flash flood in Rasuwa,” the Embassy of Nepal in India said in a post on X.
The two ministers also discussed measures to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nepal and India. Their discussions focused particularly on expanding bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including investment, energy and connectivity.
India has been providing humanitarian assistance to Nepal through relief supplies, specialised rescue equipment and expert personnel following the flash floods. The assistance has been delivered through multiple special flights aimed at supporting Nepal’s ongoing rescue, relief and forensic operations.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), eight special flights carrying relief and rescue assistance were sent to Nepal since August 26. More than 130 tonnes of relief material have been dispatched, while 54 expert personnel from India have also been deployed to assist Nepal with rescue, relief and forensic operations.
The relief assistance has included essential supplies such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines. India has also supplied specialised equipment required for difficult rescue operations in areas affected by flooding and mud.
Among the specialised materials provided were tunnel and mud rescue equipment, including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus and inflatable walkways. India also sent DNA kits, reagents and equipment to support DNA profiling, along with portable generator sets, lighting towers and dewatering pumps.
The Indian assistance has involved cooperation with Nepalese authorities on the ground. A specialised tunnel rescue team from India initially began operations in coordination with the Nepali Army at two locations, Chilime and Langtang, to support rescue efforts in challenging terrain.
Last week, the eighth Indian flight carrying relief and rescue items reached Kathmandu. The shipment included equipment for tunnel rescue operations as well as forensic supplies. The materials were handed over to Nepal’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, confirmed the arrival of the eighth flight and the handover of the relief and rescue materials in a post on X.
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The latest meeting between Wagle and Jaishankar comes as Nepal continues rescue, relief and recovery efforts following the flash floods. The discussions also placed the humanitarian assistance within the broader framework of Nepal-India bilateral relations, with both sides addressing cooperation in investment, energy and connectivity.
The exchange underscores the ongoing coordination between the two neighbouring countries as Nepal responds to the impact of the Rasuwa flash floods and works to strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
