Swaraj arrives in Nepal to attend donors' conference

June 24, 2015 18:23

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit to Nepal to attend an international donors' conference where she is likely to announce a major financial package by India for reconstruction of the quake-hit nation.

Swaraj was received by India's Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and other top officials of the embassy at the airport. The International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction has been organised by the Nepalese government to raise funds for carrying out rebuilding of areas devastated by the massive earthquake of April 25 which claimed nearly 9,000 lives.

Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had this month called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to invite him for the conference. However, Modi decided to nominate Swaraj for ICNR.

At least 35 countries are expected to attend the conference to be held in Kathmandu tomorrow. Ahead of the meet, Koirala said there has been a "big gap" between what Nepal was able to do and what needs to be done. He said Nepal's resources alone are not enough to meet the "unforeseen and pressing challenges" and called upon international community to help the country.

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