04 September,2026 10:26 AM IST | Kathmandu | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has clarified that neither he nor the country's government sought climate-related compensation from India, China or the United States following last week's devastating flash floods, saying Kathmandu's appeal was instead for greater global recognition of the long-term impact of climate change on vulnerable countries.
Khanal made the clarification on Thursday in response to reports attributing remarks to him about seeking climate-related compensation from neighbouring countries and major global powers.
"Neither I nor anyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government of Nepal has claimed or asked for compensation from India or any other country, including China or the United States," Khanal told ANI.
The Foreign Minister said Nepal's position was focused on the broader climate crisis and the growing impact of rising temperatures on Himalayan communities.
"Our call has been for the global community to look at this disaster from the perspective of climate change and the impact it's having in Nepal," he added.
Khanal said India, China and Nepal shared environmental ecosystems as well as cultural and historical links, making regional cooperation important in preparing for the consequences of climate change in the Himalayan region.
He said Kathmandu wanted the international community to look beyond immediate disaster relief and consider the longer-term effects of rising temperatures and climate change on communities.
"Our call is for all these three countries to come together to be better prepared, but for the global community to support and particularly to look at this disaster, not just as a one-time event or just to not look at it or to look at it as a one-time support, but to think about the impact raising temperature and climate change is having in communities across the world. So it is our call; the government of Nepal's call is for the global community to come together and support smaller nations like Nepal," he said.
Khanal added that Nepal shared "similar pain, similar burden, and similar challenge" with India and China.
"We stand ready to collaborate to save our civilisation, our heritage, our culture and our future together," he said.
Khanal's clarification came as Nepal continued to receive international humanitarian assistance following the devastating floods.
Asked about communication with New Delhi regarding additional areas where Nepal may require support, Khanal said Indian officials had been in contact with Kathmandu from the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
"In this disaster context, right after the disaster, we began to receive communication from Indian officials and they have placed all kinds of support and they have said they are standing ready to provide any support that the government of Nepal needs," he said.
Khanal said India had provided relief supplies, rescue materials and forensic support and that the two governments remained in communication as new requirements emerged.
"We've been communicating as need arises and the government of India has fully supported our initiative. So in the future also, as new requirements come up, we communicate and they stand ready to provide support," he said.
India expanded its emergency humanitarian response on Thursday by sending two additional C-130J aircraft carrying 21.5 tonnes of relief assistance to Kathmandu, including forensic kits and medical supplies, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
India's first relief aircraft arrived in Nepal on August 26 with 10 tonnes of supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.
A second flight on August 27 carried 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, generators, medicines and food items. A subsequent consignment carried another 10 tonnes.
India later sent a fifth aircraft carrying an 11-member rescue team, specialised equipment and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines on Wednesday.
Khanal also expressed hope that India would support Nepal during the reconstruction and recovery phase, recalling New Delhi's assistance following the 2015 earthquake and other disasters.
"The Government of India has been very generous," he said, expressing gratitude to the Indian government and people.
"We are very hopeful that the government of India will stand with us in the stage of reconstruction as well," Khanal said.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the catastrophic Rasuwa floods in Nepal has risen to 1,259, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority as of 7 pm on Thursday.
The authority said Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 355, including unidentified human remains. Nawalparasi East recorded 218 recovered bodies, followed by Nawalparasi West with 212, Nuwakot with 177, Rasuwa with 127, Gorkha with 72, Dhading with 60 and Tanahun with 38.
A total of 95 bodies have been officially handed over to families, according to the authority.
The United States has also expanded its humanitarian response to Nepal.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said two US military cargo aircraft delivered 5,000 specialised disaster victim recovery supplies, 500 first aid kits, stretchers and front-end loaders to support Nepal-led search, rescue and recovery operations.
The disaster began after a catastrophic flash flood struck the Tibet-Nepal border on August 26, sending a powerful surge of water, sediment and boulders through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems and causing widespread destruction.
(With inputs from ANI)
