Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala inspecting relief operations in Kathmandu.
Appreciating the help extended by Indian rescuers following the devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal on April 25, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said on Friday that the country is blessed to have neighbours like India.
"We are really blessed as we have neighbours like India," said a statement issued by Mr Koirala's private secretariat, which further said that "when Nepal faces crisis, we always seek honest help from India".
Mr Koirala also said that he felt really impressed by the working of the Indian teams when he inspected the ongoing rescue efforts in the last three days, and that India's expertise, skill and experience in dealing with the quake would greatly help Nepal. Mr Koirala added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response came as a huge relief for him during such a crisis.
Mr Koirala's statement came as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrived in Kathmandu on a day-long visit to assess the post-quake situation.
Mr Doval told Mr Koirala during a meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake, which claimed 20,000 lives, immediately after learning that a 7.9-magnitude quake jolted Nepal last week, and took immediate steps for rescue and relief bid and sent rescue and relief materials to Nepal.
Mr Doval informed Mr Koirala that India was ready to assist Nepal at this moment of crisis while extending a condolence message sent by Mr Modi to Mr Koirala on behalf of the poeple and the government of India.