In the aftermath of the destructive earthquake that hit Nepal, India proved to be a dependable neighbour. India became the first responder in sending emergency relief to Nepal.
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India lends a helping hand to Nepal
India on Sunday sent emergency aid to people affected by the earthquake. The high-intensity earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4, caused havoc in Nepal on Friday. According to the Mint, so far, the earthquake has taken the lives of 157 people and injured over 250 others.
India became the first provider of relief to Nepal. On Sunday, India sent its first consignment of relief materials, which includes tents, blankets, tarpaulin sheets, essential medicines, and medical equipment, officials said. The consignment worth ₹10 crore arrived in Nepalgunj via a special Indian Air Force C-130 flight, said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sadness via a post in X. He said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to provide the required assistance. He ended his post by wishing the families suffering a quick recovery.
The Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, on behalf of the Indian Government, handed over the relief materials to Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Purna Bahadur Khadka, in the presence of Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma.
India’s Neighborhood First policy proves pivotal
The immediate response of India to the disaster has evinced the significance of its Neighborhood First policy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Neighborhood First policy is in action. He added that India is providing emergency relief assistance to earthquake-inflicted areas of Nepal.
India has provided aid to Nepal as part of the commitment expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help earthquake victims in all possible ways. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement, said that Nepal is a close friend and neighbor of India. It will continue to remain committed to extending all possible assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
The quick and beneficial response of India to the situation reiterates its commitment to be the first responder in a state of crisis in its neighbourhood and beyond. This coincides with the role it played during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. New Delhi was the first to respond to the crisis and deployed its largest disaster relief operation abroad – Operation Maitri.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has extended $ 1 billion to Nepal under its long-term assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction. The aid facilitated the improvement of health, housing, education, and cultural heritage sectors, including the reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Nepal’s Gorkha and Nuwakot districts.
Response of Nepal Government to the Quake
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, emphasised the significance of relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas. According to officials, during a Cabinet meeting held in the aftermath of the disaster, the Nepal Prime Minister decided to provide Rs. 2 lakh cash each to the families of those killed as immediate relief. The government decided to offer free medical treatment to those injured in the earthquake. The meeting also resulted in the government deciding to prepare and implement an integrated action plan to construct earthquake-resistant housing within one year of the rehabilitation of the currently inflicted regions.
Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha stressed the importance of providing aid to those affected by the earthquake. The Minister said to ANI that the search and rescue operation for the earthquake is over. The focus point is shifted to mobilising aid to the affected population.
The earthquake had its impact felt in a few districts in North India. Tremors occurred across Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The Ministry of External Affairs added that further consignments of relief materials from India will arrive in Nepal in the coming days. India hopes to extend all possible aid to its neighboring nation.
