Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 16 – Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal thanked India for its solidarity and swift disaster relief support to Nepal following the floods in August.
Khanal expressed gratitude during a farewell call by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
The Foreign Minister congratulated Srivastava on the completion of his tenure and appreciated his efforts to further deepen Nepal-India relations.
Khanal highlighted progress in energy cooperation, trade and infrastructure connectivity along with people-to-people ties between the two countries.
India has provided relief supplies and technical assistance to Nepal following the floods. An eighth Indian Air Force aircraft carrying relief and rescue supplies arrived in Kathmandu on September 10, while Indian tunnel rescue experts and forensic personnel have also been deployed to support search, rescue and identification efforts.
Indian tunnel rescue teams have been working in coordination with the Nepali Army at affected hydropower projects including Chilime in Rasuwa.
India has also approved the export of up to 654 megawatts of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day from September 13 to December 31 following damage to Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure caused by the floods.
Srivastava expressed appreciation to the Government of Nepal for the support and cooperation extended to him during his tenure and expressed hope that Nepal-India relations would continue to flourish.
The Foreign Minister wished Srivastava success in his future endeavours and expressed confidence that he would continue to remain a good friend of Nepal.
