KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal has emphasized strengthening cooperation between Nepal and China to address mounting climate and disaster risks in the Himalayan region.
Speaking at the third edition of the ‘Kasthamandap Dialogue’ in Kathmandu today, the senior leader of the Nepali Communist Party highlighted that cross-border threats—such as the Bhotekoshi disaster—are global issues driven by emissions from industrialized nations, despite Nepal’s minimal contribution to global warming.
He called for enhanced weather and flood data exchanges, coordinated disaster preparedness, and improved access to international climate finance.
Khanal also prioritized advancing cross-border infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—including the Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network and railway links—while ensuring future projects account for natural disaster risks.
Reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to the ‘One China’ policy, he expressed gratitude to Beijing for its disaster assistance and continued support for Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
