Despite Nepal visit uncertainty, Modi pledges continuous support for reconstruction
Despite Nepal visit uncertainty, Modi pledges continuous support for reconstruction
Published: 04:47 pm Jun 12, 2015
KATHMANDU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will help Nepal reconstruction following the massive April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks, regardless of whether he can attend the international donors' conference scheduled for June 25 in Kathmandu. While receiving an invitation from PM Sushil Koirala at his office in New Delhi today, Modi said he will send a senior minister to the conference if he himself cannot make it. Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat, on behalf of Koirala, had handed over the invitation to Modi. Mahat is in New Delhi for last three days. “Your presence will give great motivation to Nepalis,” the Ministry of Finance quoted Minister Mahat as telling Modi in the meeting. The Minister had stressed on Modi’s participation as he had led reconstruction process in Gajarat following the disastrous quake on January 26, 2001. In response, Modi assured Mahat of sufficient support from India, the Ministry said. Modi, on Thursday, had given his word to Prime Minister Koirala to come to take part in the international donors’ conference, according to a post on Prime Minister Koirala’s Twitter account. During his stay in New Delhi, Mahat had called on his Indian counterpart Arun Jaitley and Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. He also interacted with Indian businesspersons at a function in New Delhi today. READ ALSO: Indian PM Modi gives word to take part in donors’ conference in Nepal