Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Friday clarified that his statement regarding financial compensation from countries, including India, following last week’s catastrophic flash floods was from the perspective of climate change and its impact in his country.Also Read | ‘Not charity’: Nepal seeks compensation from major industrial emitters for deadly flood“Neither I nor anyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Government of Nepal has claimed or asked for compensation from India or any other country, including China or the United States,” Khanal told ANI. “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.”His clarification came after Nepal launched a diplomatic push to seek compensation from “major greenhouse gas emitters.” Khanal had told local media that although the Himalayan nation contributes “virtually negligible” greenhouse gas emissions, it is bearing a “disproportionate share” of the consequences of climate change.“We are paying the ultimate price for a global crisis we did not create… This is not a matter of charity; it is a matter of legal and moral liability,” he told Kantipur TV, excerpts of which were published by The Kathmandu Post.Meanwhile, the death toll from the Rasuwa floods had risen to 1,259 as of 7 pm Thursday, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
‘Nepal, India, and China face similar climate risks’
Khanal further stressed that Nepal, India and China share the Himalayan ecosystem and face common climate risks, calling for greater regional preparedness and international support.“I’ve also mentioned that all three countries — China, India, and Nepal face and share similar environmental ecosystems. We are all impacted by climate change in the Himalayas as well. Our call is for all these three countries to come together to be better prepared,” he added, urging the global community to recognise the broader impact of rising temperatures and climate change on vulnerable communities.
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He also thanked India for its swift humanitarian assistance and underscored the need for regional cooperation.India was among the first countries to assist Nepal, sending emergency rescue equipment, modular bridge components, dewatering pumps, medical supplies and other relief materials. Its first relief aircraft arrived on August 26 with 10 tonnes of supplies, followed by 37.5 tonnes on August 27 and another 10-tonne consignment. A fifth aircraft later carried an 11-member rescue team, specialised equipment and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines.According to Khanal, India had remained in close contact with Kathmandu and was ready to provide further assistance as needed.“In this disaster context, right after the disaster, we began to receive communication from Indian officials and they have provided all kinds of support and they have said they are standing ready to provide any support that the government of Nepal needs. 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,” the minister said.
