Development partnership and energy cooperation were among the key areas discussed as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Sharing details of the meeting in a post on X, Jaishankar said that the two sides followed up on bilateral developments since their previous meeting in New Delhi in June, with particular attention to progress in development partnership and energy cooperation.
“Pleased to meet FM Shisir Khanal of Nepal UNHighLevelWeek. Followed up on bilateral developments since our last meeting in Delhi in June this year, including progress in development partnership and energy cooperation,” the post read.
The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations said Khanal expressed appreciation to India for its solidarity and immediate critical assistance following the recent catastrophic floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi and Trishuli River basins last month.
“Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal met with H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, on the sidelines of UNGA81 in New York today. Hon. Minister expressed sincere appreciation to the Government and people of India for their solidarity and immediate critical support, following the recent catastrophic floods in Nepal. The two Ministers exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest underscoring the need to further strengthen the close and longstanding ties between Nepal and India,” the mission said in a post on X.
India’s relief assistance to Nepal began on August 26, when the flood hit the Himalayan nation with the first relief aircraft arriving with 10 tonnes of supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.
India subsequently continued its relief efforts, with nine dedicated aircraft deployed from August 26 to transport relief inventory, equipment and specialist personnel to Nepal. The ninth aircraft carrying 11 tonnes of relief supplies landed in Nepal.
The Jaishankar-Khanal meeting took place as the External Affairs Minister continued a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements during the UNGA high-level week.
