NEW YORK: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India was among the first countries to provide an early humanitarian response to Nepal’s devastating flash floods while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Highlighting India’s role as a first responder during humanitarian emergencies, Jaishankar said India had responded early to the recent flash floods in Nepal, citing the disaster alongside the earthquake in Venezuela.
He said India had regularly provided medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance to countries affected by conflicts, epidemics and natural disasters. He also highlighted India’s wider development partnership with countries of the Global South, including support in food, medicine, energy, fertiliser and livelihood-related sectors.
India began sending emergency assistance to Nepal on August 26, the day the devastating floods struck. The assistance included relief materials and, subsequently, specialist teams involved in rescue and other emergency operations.
Jaishankar’s remarks at the UNGA came days after his meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal in New York, where the two discussed bilateral relations, development cooperation and energy partnership, as well as India’s support following the floods.