India has sent the first consignment of components for a 70-metre Bailey bridge to Nepal to help restore connectivity in the flood-affected Betrawati area, the Indian envoy in Kathmandu said.

The consignment was handed over to Nepal’s Road Division in Hetauda on Saturday (September 12, 2026), India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said in a post on X, adding that more consignments of the bridge components would arrive in the coming days.

“This bridge will help restore connectivity in Betrawati area that was affected by the recent flash flood in Nepal,” the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a post on X on Saturday (September 12, 2026).

A Bailey bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated modular steel truss bridge that can be assembled quickly by hand without needing heavy machinery or special tools.

The latest assistance on Saturday (September 12, 2026) is part of India’s ongoing humanitarian support to Nepal following the devastating flash floods that struck the northern and central regions of the Himalayan nation on August 26, killing nearly 1,400 people and leaving more than 5,000 missing as of Sunday.

India has sent more than 130 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 expert personnel to support Nepal’s rescue, relief and forensic operations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi has also provided specialised tunnel and mud-rescue equipment, DNA kits and forensic equipment, along with essential supplies such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.

The Indian Air Force has operated at least eight special flights to deliver relief supplies, while an Indian tunnel rescue team has been working with the Nepal Army in search operations and a forensic team has been assisting Nepali authorities in identifying the mortal remains of victims.

India has said it remains committed to supporting Nepal’s rescue, relief and recovery efforts following the floods.

India has sent the first consignment of components for a 70-metre Bailey bridge to Nepal to help restore connectivity in the flood-affected Betrawati area, the Indian envoy in Kathmandu said.

The consignment was handed over to Nepal’s Road Division in Hetauda on Saturday (September 12, 2026), India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said in a post on X, adding that more consignments of the bridge components would arrive in the coming days.

“This bridge will help restore connectivity in Betrawati area that was affected by the recent flash flood in Nepal,” the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a post on X on Saturday (September 12, 2026).

A Bailey bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated modular steel truss bridge that can be assembled quickly by hand without needing heavy machinery or special tools.

The latest assistance on Saturday (September 12, 2026) is part of India’s ongoing humanitarian support to Nepal following the devastating flash floods that struck the northern and central regions of the Himalayan nation on August 26, killing nearly 1,400 people and leaving more than 5,000 missing as of Sunday.

India has sent more than 130 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 expert personnel to support Nepal’s rescue, relief and forensic operations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi has also provided specialised tunnel and mud-rescue equipment, DNA kits and forensic equipment, along with essential supplies such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines.

The Indian Air Force has operated at least eight special flights to deliver relief supplies, while an Indian tunnel rescue team has been working with the Nepal Army in search operations and a forensic team has been assisting Nepali authorities in identifying the mortal remains of victims.

India has said it remains committed to supporting Nepal’s rescue, relief and recovery efforts following the floods.

The Nepal government wants to have “stronger ties” with India and China, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said as he wrapped up his four-day visit to Beijing on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).

During the visit, Mr. Khanal held comprehensive and in-depth talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and senior political leaders, Wang Huning, the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China.

Mr. Khanal’s visit to Beijing followed closely on his trip to India during which he said his government would accord “highest priority” to relations with New Delhi.

Asked whether the visits to New Delhi and Beijing were aimed at striking a balance between Nepal’s two big neighbours, Mr. Khanal said both India and China are vital partners to the Himalayan country.

The Balendra Shah-led Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) replaced the prolonged rule of pro-China Communist Parties after a landslide victory in the general election in March.

Editorial | New and raw: On Nepal-India ties

“My visit was to indicate the importance that we give to both countries and we want to build on our existing relationship and also make it stronger and better and deeper than what has been in the past,” he told state-run the Global Times here.

The fall of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) government headed by pro-Beijing leader K.P. Sharma Oli following the massive Gen Z movement and massive victory of the little known RSP has caused apprehension here about the future course of ties between Nepal and China.

After talks with Mr. Wang, Mr. Khanal said he held a “comprehensive discussion” with his Chinese counterpart “on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including in the areas of connectivity, border management, trade, technology transfer and multilateral cooperation”.

He also assured Mr. Wang that Nepal remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports China’s efforts to achieve complete reunification, and will never allow any forces to use Nepal’s territory to undermine China’s interests.

Reports in the Nepali media said during the talks with Mr. Khanal, Chinese officials had raised concerns over Western influence in Nepal, mostly about the $500 million American Millennium Challenge Corporation and State Partnership Programme, MCC-Compact.

When asked for its reaction to the report, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told PTI that international development cooperation should adhere to the principles of mutual respect and equality.

“It should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, impose any political conditions, engage in ‘coercive diplomacy’, or undermine the sovereignty and interests of other countries for one’s own selfish gain,” it said.

Mr. Khanal told Global Times that Nepal is grateful for assistance from the Chinese government and hopes to build a strong relationship with China, identifying connectivity and infrastructure as top priorities for bilateral cooperation with China.

He also discussed the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network between Nepal and China which includes the cross-border transmission line and cross-border rail as core projects.

A feasibility study for the railway project has been completed by the Chinese side, and Nepal expects to receive it by the end of this month.

Issues like border facilities, freight corridors and capacity building will be based on this report, he told the daily.

 Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli of Nepal became one of the first foreign leaders to meet President Xi Jinping of China on Saturday (August 30, 2025). During the meeting, Mr. Oli highlighted Nepal’s “strong objection” to India-China restarting trade through the Lipu Lekh Pass that Kathmandu considers a part of Nepal’s sovereign territory, the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing said in a press statement.

“Referring to the recent understanding reached between India and China on border trade through Lipu Lekh Pass, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister stated that the territory belongs to Nepal and Government of Nepal has registered strong objection on the same,” said the press statement. Referring to the discussion between the two teams, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai also reiterated the Nepalese position on the Lipu Lekh Pass and said, “According to the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, the entire area to the east of Mahakali river is part of the sovereign territory of Nepal.”

Prime Minister Oli is visiting Tianjin as a special guest of China for the summit and requested President Xi to support Nepal’s bid for membership in the SCO. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry has announced that PM Oli will address the SCO Plus summit on September 1.

Nepal had earlier objected to India-China agreement reached on August 18 during the visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi for restarting of border trade between India and China through three Himalayan passes including the Lipu Lekh. India had described Nepal’s objection as “untenable” saying, “India remains open to constructive interaction with Nepal on resolving agreed outstanding boundary issues through dialogue and diplomacy.”