Did Nepal Just Receive Over 60 Vehicles from India for Election Support?
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Kathmandu, Jan 20 (NationPress) On Tuesday, India provided over 60 double-cab pickup vehicles along with additional supplies to Nepal, aiding preparations for the elections set for March 5.
This delivery represents the initial batch of election support from India, which was formally presented to Nepal’s Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal during a ceremony, as stated by the Indian Embassy. The Indian government is set to supply approximately 650 vehicles for the upcoming elections, with deliveries scheduled in multiple phases over the next few weeks.
The vehicles were handed over by Dr. Rakesh Pandey, the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy. This support was requested by the Nepali government to assist in the election preparations, according to the embassy.
During the ceremony, Minister Aryal expressed gratitude to the Indian government and its people for the generous vehicles and supplies. He highlighted the strong and comprehensive relationship between India and Nepal.
Since 2008, following the first Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal, the Indian government has been providing election-related assistance based on requests from the Nepali government.
The embassy reported that India has previously gifted around 2,400 vehicles to various Nepali ministries and departments, including the Election Commission.
“The ongoing collaboration and support from India not only reflects the multi-faceted development partnership between the two nations,” the embassy mentioned, “but it also symbolizes the profound mutual trust and friendship shared by the people of India and Nepal.”
Given the destruction of numerous government vehicles during the Gen-Z protests in September last year, the delivery from the Indian government is expected to significantly aid the Nepali administration.
A committee established to evaluate the damage from the Gen-Z protests reported that approximately 8,430 government-owned vehicles were damaged.