Banking News – Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who is in the American city of New York to participate in the 81st United Nations General Assembly, has a very busy schedule. Leading the Nepali delegation, Foreign Minister Khanal, who arrived in New York on Monday morning, has been busy meeting with foreign ministers and delegations from various countries who have come to participate in the UN General Assembly.

Amid a busy schedule, from Monday evening itself, he has been participating in bilateral, multilateral, and strategically important programs organized here, as well as meeting with representatives of various organizations, according to the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations. Minister Khanal held a bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday. On that occasion, Minister Khanal provided preliminary information about the Rasuwa flood that occurred in Nepal on Bhadau 10 and praised the support provided by neighboring friendly nation India to Nepal during the difficult moment.

On that occasion, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed heartfelt sympathy to Nepal and the Nepali people through Foreign Minister Khanal. Similarly, Minister Khanal also held a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, a friendly nation of Nepal. On that occasion, Minister Khanal expressed gratitude for Japan’s support to Nepal during the recent disaster and in times of difficulty.

During that meeting, expressing commitment to provide maximum support in the difficult post-flood situation, the Japanese Foreign Minister informed that Japan is ready to provide immediate, medium-term, and long-term support, considering Nepal’s emergency situation. He also informed Minister Khanal that $3 million USD would be provided immediately as emergency assistance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu made this statement during a sideline meeting under the United Nations General Assembly held here between the foreign ministers of both countries.

During the meeting, Minister Toshimitsu expressed deep condolences for the losses Nepal had to suffer due to the massive disaster and reiterated sympathy for the affected families. According to the Nepali Mission in New York, Minister Toshimitsu also stated during the meeting that Japan, as a close friend, wishes to provide maximum support to Nepal.

Similarly, since this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, he expressed confidence that the Nepal-Japan “Festival” to be organized in Kathmandu in November would further elevate the friendly relations between the two countries.

Amid a busy schedule, Foreign Minister Khanal met with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker as part of sideline meetings. After the meeting with Minister Khanal, Under Secretary Hooker expressed commitment to support Nepal, which is in difficulty due to the flood. Immediately after, a decision to provide an additional $31 million USD to Nepal from the US side was made public.

In a statement issued by the US State Department, Hooker expressed sympathy for the individuals and families affected by the flood that flowed through the Bhote Koshi into the Trishuli River. On the same occasion, she also informed that $10 million USD would be provided for permanent bridge construction.

Similarly, she stated that $8 million USD would be provided to communities for sanitation, drinking water, shelter construction, and saving the lives of flood-affected citizens. The statement also mentioned that drones worth approximately $13 million USD would be provided for the purpose of providing information about the disaster.

Similarly, during the sideline meetings, Foreign Minister Khanal also met with foreign ministers of countries including Uganda and the Maldives and provided information about the losses Nepal has had to suffer due to climate change. Amid a busy schedule, Foreign Minister Khanal has been “lobbying” with member states for solidarity and necessary support in favor of climate justice, according to the Nepali Permanent Mission in New York.

During these meetings, he has been informing that various problems have arisen in Nepal due to climate change, and the flood in the Bhote Koshi River is its latest example, and has been urging world leaders, his counterparts, and representatives of various organizations to support Nepal for climate justice.

Minister Khanal also met with representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce and discussed matters including investment and trade. Additionally, Minister Khanal participated in the “Global South” program organized by the Government of India on Tuesday and addressed the ministerial conference.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, leading the Nepali delegation to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly, arrived in New York on Wednesday. As Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday morning Nepal time and return home, Foreign Minister Khanal has a busy schedule in sideline meetings.

As Minister Khanal will remain in New York for a few more days, additional sideline meetings and discussions are also on his schedule. Foreign Ministry Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and representatives of the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC are also participating along with Minister Khanal. Similarly, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa is also participating in some UN sideline meetings.