India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah to offer humanitarian assistance following severe floods in Nepal. The floods, which occurred on August 26, have left over 1,300 people missing, including more than 170 Indian nationals, according to Nepal's tourism officials. The floods were triggered by an avalanche that blocked a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river, resulting in significant destruction. Modi expressed condolences for the lives lost and stated that India is prepared to provide all possible types of humanitarian assistance.
India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced that a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, including medicines and food, had been dispatched to Nepal. This follows an earlier shipment of 10 tonnes of aid. However, no disaster relief teams have been sent to Nepal yet, as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is on standby pending a request from the Nepalese government.
In addition to the humanitarian efforts, a bipartisan US panel on religious freedom has called for targeted sanctions against Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is associated with Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The panel's recommendations come as Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at an event in New York City. India's Foreign Ministry has dismissed the panel's assertions as biased.
The floods have been described as one of the worst disasters in Nepal in years, with verified videos showing debris-laden water sweeping away homes and villages. The situation continues to develop as Indian authorities coordinate with their Nepalese counterparts on rescue and relief efforts.