Strengthening ties ahead of key elections, India delivered more than 250 vehicles to Nepal on Thursday, the latest in a series of supports for the March 5 parliamentary vote. This follows a prior shipment on January 20 comprising over 60 double-cab vehicles and equipment, with a total pledge of nearly 650 units to be released progressively.
The presentation occurred during a ceremony at Nepal’s Finance Ministry, led by Indian Charge d’Affaires Rakesh Pandey in the presence of Finance Minister Rameshwar Prasad Khanal. Responding to Kathmandu’s appeal, the assistance fills critical gaps exacerbated by the destruction of thousands of vehicles in last September’s Jan-ji protests.
Khanal, addressing attendees, appreciated the move as indispensable for election success, warning that self-funding would overburden state coffers given resource limits. He invoked past instances of Indian aid, including post-2015 earthquake relief, positioning India as Nepal’s dependable ally in times of need.
Since 2008’s inaugural Constituent Assembly elections, India has routinely aided Nepal’s polls upon request. An official assessment pegged protest-related vehicle losses at 8,430, heightening the value of this replenishment for logistical operations.
The Embassy’s readout framed the gesture as emblematic of comprehensive bilateral development cooperation and the innate trust linking Indian and Nepalese citizens. With elections looming, this support promises to streamline processes, fortify democracy, and highlight the strategic neighborhood partnership.