The Aryavarth Express
Kathmandu [Nepal]: India on Friday handed over the second tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal, reaffirming bilateral cooperation as the Himalayan nation prepares for its upcoming elections.
The assistance, comprising more than 250 vehicles, was formally handed over at a ceremony held at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. The event was attended by Nepal’s Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, and senior officials from both countries. India’s Charge d’affaires ad interim to Nepal, Rakesh Pandey, handed over the vehicles on behalf of the Government of India.
Officials said the consignment includes SUVs and double-cab pickup vehicles, which will be used to support logistical and operational requirements during the election process. The assistance follows a request from the Government of Nepal and is aimed at facilitating election preparations, especially in remote and geographically challenging areas where transportation remains a major constraint.
Addressing the gathering, Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal highlighted the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Nepal. He expressed gratitude to the Government and people of India for the timely support and said the assistance would significantly strengthen Nepal’s election preparedness. He added that such cooperation reflects the close and trusted relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
The first tranche of India’s election-related assistance was handed over on January 20. Officials confirmed that further consignments will be delivered in phases over the coming weeks to ensure sustained logistical support throughout the election preparation period.
Indian officials described the assistance as part of India’s continued commitment to supporting Nepal’s democratic processes. They noted that the support is demand-driven and aligned with Nepal’s requirements for conducting free, fair and efficient elections.
Beyond its immediate electoral purpose, the assistance was also seen as a reflection of the broader, multi-sectoral development partnership between the two countries. India has long supported Nepal in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, energy and capacity building, with election assistance remaining a recurring element of this cooperation.
Observers said the addition of vehicles and related supplies is expected to enhance the Election Commission of Nepal’s ability to manage logistics, deploy personnel and ensure smooth polling operations across the country, particularly given Nepal’s challenging terrain. Both sides reiterated their commitment to close coordination in the coming weeks, underlining the depth of India–Nepal ties and their shared democratic values.
