Nepal Rejects Climate Compensation Claims, Says No Request Was Made to India, China or US After Floods

Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has clarified that the Nepalese government has not sought climate-related compensation from India, China or the United States following the devastating flash floods that hit the country last week. Khanal said that neither he nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made such a request, explaining that Nepal's message was instead focused on drawing global attention to the wider consequences of climate change.

“Neither I nor anyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government of Nepal has claimed or asked for compensation from India or any other country, including China or the United States,” Khanal told ANI on Thursday. The clarification came after reports suggested that Nepal was seeking climate compensation from major countries in the aftermath of the disaster. Khanal said Nepal's position had been misunderstood and stressed that Kathmandu was calling for greater international recognition of the climate-related challenges faced by Himalayan communities.

“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,” he said. Khanal said Nepal, India and China share interconnected ecosystems as well as long-standing cultural and historical ties. Given their geographical links through the Himalayas, he argued that the three countries should strengthen cooperation and improve their preparedness for climate-related disasters.

The minister also urged the international community to look beyond immediate relief efforts. According to Khanal, assistance following a disaster should not be viewed only as short-term humanitarian support, but should also take into account the longer-term effects of rising temperatures and changing climate patterns on vulnerable communities.

He said Nepal wanted countries around the world to work together to support smaller and climate-vulnerable nations. Khanal described Nepal, India and China as facing similar environmental pressures and said cooperation would be important to protect their shared heritage, culture and future. The clarification comes as Nepal continues to receive emergency assistance from several countries following the catastrophic floods. India has been among the major contributors to the relief operation, sending multiple consignments of humanitarian supplies, rescue equipment and medical assistance.

On Thursday, India expanded its relief response by sending two C-130J aircraft carrying 21.5 tonnes of humanitarian material to Kathmandu, including medical supplies and forensic kits, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Earlier, an Indian relief aircraft had reached Nepal on August 26 carrying 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.

Another Indian aircraft arrived on August 27 with 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, hygiene supplies, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen equipment, generators, medicines and food items. Further assistance was subsequently provided, while an additional aircraft carrying an 11-member specialist rescue team, equipment and essential medicines was also deployed.

Khanal said Nepal and India had maintained communication from the immediate aftermath of the disaster and that Indian officials had offered continued assistance based on Kathmandu's requirements. He expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Indian government and people and said Nepal hoped New Delhi would also assist during the reconstruction and recovery phase.

“The Government of India has been very generous,” Khanal said, adding that Nepal was hopeful of receiving India's support during the rebuilding process as well. The United States has also contributed to Nepal's emergency response. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said two American military transport aircraft delivered specialised disaster recovery equipment to support Nepal-led search, rescue and recovery operations. The assistance included thousands of disaster victim recovery supplies, first-aid kits, stretchers and front-end loaders.

The scale of the disaster has continued to emerge as rescue and recovery teams work across affected areas. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that the death toll from the catastrophic Rasuwa floods had reached 1,259 by 7 pm on Thursday. Chitwan recorded the largest number of recovered bodies, followed by Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading and Tanahun. Authorities said 95 bodies had been formally handed over to relatives or authorities.

The disaster began on August 26 when a massive flash flood struck the Tibet-Nepal border region, sending large volumes of water, sediment and boulders through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. The flooding caused widespread destruction and severely affected communities and infrastructure. The latest statement from Khanal makes clear that Nepal's position is not a direct request for compensation from India, China or the United States. Instead, Kathmandu is seeking stronger international attention to the climate risks facing Himalayan nations and greater long-term cooperation to help vulnerable countries prepare for and recover from increasingly severe natural disasters.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.