Kathmandu, October 23 (H.S.): Nepal’s Finance Minister, Dr Swarnim Wagle, has expressed gratitude to India for its prompt assistance during recent natural disasters in Nepal, acknowledging the country’s rapid response and exceptional support during critical emergencies.

During the World Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Wagle held a direct exchange of views with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, on Nepal-India relations and issues of regional interest. Speaking at the conference titled ‘A World Between Orders’, the Nepalese minister highlighted India’s swift assistance following the recent climate-related disasters in the Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi regions, as well as its support during Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake.

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Finance, Wagle said India had come to Nepal’s assistance within the first few hours of both the recent disaster and the earthquake, extending exceptional support for which Nepal remained deeply grateful.

He also raised the question of how cooperation between the two countries could be institutionalised across bilateral, trilateral and subregional frameworks in key areas such as disaster management, nutrition and clean energy. He explored the potential for establishing more structured mechanisms to strengthen collaboration in these fields.

Responding to Wagle’s remarks, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar observed that formal institutional frameworks continued to be important wherever feasible. He cited the International Solar Alliance as an example of an institutional arrangement facilitating cooperation among countries.

Jaishankar further noted a growing trend among like-minded nations towards pursuing flexible, needs-based cooperation and prioritising initiatives capable of delivering tangible results.

The exchange underscored the importance of strengthening Nepal-India cooperation in disaster response, climate-related challenges and sustainable development, while exploring institutional mechanisms and practical partnerships suited to the needs of both countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar