Kathmandu, Sept 20: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has returned from a three-day visit to India, saying Nepal has sought further Indian cooperation to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the Bhotekoshi flood.
Wagle said he thanked the Indian government for its support during rescue and relief operations after the flood struck Rasuwa. With the immediate emergency giving way to a costly recovery, Nepal also raised the need for help with reconstruction, he said.
The flood has damaged roads, bridges and hydropower facilities, disrupting transport and electricity generation. Restoring them will take longer than the rescue effort and require sustained funding. Wagle did not announce a new reconstruction package from India, but said his meetings had opened discussions on further cooperation.
He also described the talks as productive for advancing political, economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries in a new way. He did not give details of any agreement reached during the visit.
Wagle travelled to New Delhi on Thursday at the head of a six-member delegation following an invitation from the Indian government. He met his Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman, that day and held talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Friday.
His schedule extended beyond government meetings. On Friday, Wagle attended a diplomatic dialogue hosted by former Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran and a gathering organised by Jawed Ashraf, chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation. He also met a delegation of Nepalis living in India.
On Saturday, the finance minister attended a Constitution Day programme at the Nepali embassy. He then addressed a gathering of business leaders organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and took part in a discussion on development economics at the Delhi School of Economics.
The visit brought the flood recovery effort into talks with senior Indian officials. What it produces for Nepal will depend on whether the proposal for reconstruction support leads to concrete commitments.
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