What climate compensation is Nepal seeking after the recent floods?

Nepal is seeking climate compensation from major greenhouse gas emitters, including India, China, and the United States, as the country faces severe consequences from climate change despite contributing negligibly to global emissions.

Why did Nepal's foreign minister call for a shift from humanitarian aid to climate compensation?

The foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, emphasized that Nepal is disproportionately suffering from climate change effects, such as rapid glacier melt, and stressed that assistance should be viewed as moral liability rather than charity.

How has the international community responded to Nepal's flood disaster?

Nepal has received rapid assistance from countries like India and China, which included specialized rescue support and emergency relief, playing a vital role in ongoing rescue and relief operations following the devastating floods.

Nepal PM Balen Shah thanks India, China for flood aid after his minister's ‘climate compensation’ pitch

Balen Shah's expression of gratitude comes after Nepal FM Shishir Khanal's call to shift from conventional humanitarian aid to "climate compensation".

Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 19:08:15 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has thanked India, China and the US for their assistance after devastating flash floods hit the country on August 26, saying the support has played an important role in ongoing rescue and relief operations.

A rescuer works at the entrance of a tunnel at Chilime Hydropower Plant as rescue operations continue for people trapped inside following deadly flash floods and a mudslide, in Rasuwa, Nepal. (REUTERS)

Speaking about the disaster, Shah said, “So far, 11,993 people have been rescued. We have not been able to establish contact with at least 3,916 people. The next day, a group of ministers travelled to the affected areas. In these difficult times, we got support from various countries, including India, China, the US, and others. We got support from various banks.”

Shah thanks India in Parliament

Addressing Parliament, Shah acknowledged the rapid response from India and China, including the deployment of emergency assistance, technical teams and relief material following the flash floods.

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Rescue operations are continuing in the worst-affected areas, where the floods caused extensive destruction across parts of Nepal and the Tibet region of China. Roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure were among those damaged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said he spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balen Shah following the deadly flash flood and assured him of "all possible humanitarian assistance".

India offers specialised rescue support

India had offered specialised search and rescue assistance following the disaster. Indian teams have been involved in operations around hydropower tunnels and forensic work related to the large number of casualties and missing people.

HT reported earlier that India was the first country to physically deliver aid to Nepal after the disaster.

China has also continued rescue and recovery operations on its side of the border. Beijing has reopened the damaged G216 highway leading to the Gyirong border crossing, enabling heavy machinery, search teams and specialist equipment to access areas that were earlier reachable only through difficult mountain routes.

Nepal raises climate compensation demand

Shah's expression of gratitude comes after Nepal's foreign affairs minister Shisir Khanal called for a move away from conventional humanitarian aid towards "climate compensation" from major emitters, including India, China and the United States.

Khanal has said Nepal's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is negligible, while the country is facing serious consequences from changes in the Himalayan environment.

The number of people confirmed dead in China's Tibet after last week's devastating Himalayan flash floods has risen to 21, with 541 others still missing, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday.

At least 1,114 people have been confirmed killed and nearly 4,000 others are missing in neighbouring Nepal a week after a glacier collapse in the Himalayas unleashed a deluge that devastated the mountainous nation.

(With inputs from agencies)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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