Balen Shah Puts India, China At Centre Of Nepal’s Himalayan Climate Plan At UNGA
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah placed cooperation with both India and China at the heart of his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, proposing a trilateral mechanism to tackle the growing climate risks facing the Himalayan region.
Speaking at the 81st session of the UNGA in New York, Shah called for the creation of a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China. He proposed sharing satellite data and technical expertise, monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, strengthening early-warning systems and coordinating disaster assistance across borders.
The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is sustaining nearly 2 billion people water resources, ecosystems, agriculture, and livelihoods, Shah said. He said the region should be a space for international cooperation and not a space with fragmented information.
Shah Links Climate Cooperation To Recent Flood Disaster
The proposal comes weeks after Nepal suffered devastating floods in parts of the country after a big ice and rock fall near its border with China.
According to recent reports, over 1,400 people have been reported dead and thousands are missing. Shah underscored the importance of more robust regional preparedness and cooperation in addressing climate-related disaster situations.
He said climate-related hazards do not respect national boundaries and called for improved coordination between neighbouring countries when disasters occur.
In addition, Shah cautioned that with rising temperature, melting permafrost and unstable mountain slopes pose more risks of glacial hazards, floods and landslides in the Himalayas.
Proposed Mechanism To Focus On Data And Early Warnings
Under Shah’s proposal, Nepal, India and China would work together on several areas of disaster preparedness.
These include:
– Sharing satellite data and technical expertise
– Monitoring dangerous glacial lakes
– Developing stronger joint early-warning systems
– Coordinating cross-border assistance during disasters
Shah said such cooperation could help Himalayan countries respond to disasters before they escalate into larger humanitarian crises. Nepal has also called for a shift from ad-hoc relief efforts towards long-term investment in preparedness, resilience and disaster-response infrastructure.
India And China Had Sent Relief After Nepal Floods
Shah also acknowledged assistance provided by India, China and other countries following the recent disaster.
India sent relief material and equipment to Nepal, while China also provided emergency assistance. Shah thanked both neighbouring countries during his UN address.
The proposal therefore comes against a backdrop of both immediate disaster cooperation and Nepal’s broader diplomatic relationship with its two large neighbours.
Nepal’s Balancing Approach Towards India And China
Nepal has historically maintained close economic and connectivity links with India, while also expanding its engagement with China in areas including infrastructure, energy and other strategic sectors.
By proposing a climate mechanism involving both countries, Shah has presented cooperation with India and China as part of Nepal’s approach to addressing a shared regional challenge.
Recent reporting has described this as part of Nepal’s effort to maintain working relationships with both neighbours rather than align exclusively with either side.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has also said the government wants to focus on practical cooperation with its neighbours, particularly in areas such as trade, connectivity and energy.
Shah Calls For Greater Climate Support
In addition to regional cooperation, Shah also spoke in his UN speech about the need for international assistance to the countries more affected by climate change.
He said that Nepal induces very small greenhouse-gas emissions in the world while facing severe consequences from climate-related disasters. He urged increased availability of climate finance and increased support for recovery, reconstruction and resilience.
Shah also emphasised the Nepali initiatives on climate change, such as forest restoration, development of hydropower, electric mobility, Climate change local adaptation programmes.
Thus, during his first UNGA speech, he was able to align Nepal’s desperate call for disaster recovery with a larger promise of regional cooperation between India and China, focusing on Himalayan climate resilience at the core of Kathmandu’s international efforts.