As Nepal ramps up for its March 5 parliamentary elections, India stepped in decisively by handing over over 250 vehicles on Thursday under election aid provisions. This second phase builds on January 20’s contribution of 60+ double-cab pickups and materials, targeting a cumulative 650 vehicles delivered in stages.
Finance Ministry in Kathmandu hosted the handover, officiated by India’s Charge d’Affaires Rakesh Pandey alongside Nepal’s Finance Minister Rameshwar Prasad Khanal. The support addresses Nepal’s explicit request, offering respite after protest-induced damages depleted government fleets.
In his remarks, Khanal hailed the aid’s timeliness, stressing its role in safeguarding democratic integrity without taxing public funds. ‘India’s history of being our foremost supporter—from the 2015 quake to now—remains unmatched,’ he noted, thanking New Delhi’s leadership and populace.
India’s electoral assistance tradition dates to 2008, supporting successive polls at Nepal’s behest. The Jan-ji unrest in September wrecked 8,430 official vehicles, according to a probe committee, making replacements urgent for poll logistics.
Echoing this, the Indian Embassy portrayed the collaboration as a testament to expansive developmental synergy and heartfelt bilateral affinity. This initiative not only eases Nepal’s preparations but also cements India-Nepal relations as a model of supportive neighborship amid shared Himalayan heritage.