Nepal Seeks 'Climate Compensation' From India, China, And US For Deadly Floods

Kathmandu: Nepal is seeking "climate-related compensation" from the United States, India, and China -- which the Himalayan nation named as the major greenhouse emitters -- for deadly flash floods in the Bhotkoshi River that swept away villages across at least three districts in the country a week ago. So far, emergency teams have recovered more than 1,100 bodies, but nearly 4,500 people still remain missing after the gigantic wave of freezing water, rocks, and debris triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse roared down the Tibet-Nepal border last week. Launching a diplomatic pitch to seek international monetary assistance, Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal asserted that post-disaster aid should be treated as a matter of "moral liability," "not charity."The minister said in Nepali during an interview with Kantipur TV, the excerpts of which were published by The Kathmandu Post newspaper and news agency PTI. ALSO READ: Nepal's Floods, Bihar's Rivers: The Health Threat That Travels DownstreamNepal Asks for AccountabilityAFPHe pointed out that despite contributing "virtually negligible" greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal is bearing the disproportionate consequences of global warming, including rapid glacier melt and extreme mountain disasters."We are paying the ultimate price for a global crisis we did not create. The rapid melting of glaciers and these catastrophic mountain tsunamis are direct consequences of global climate change," he said, per excerpts of his interview published by PTI. — Kantipur TV HD (@KantipurTVHD) September 1, 2026Khanal said Nepal is shifting its diplomatic framework from "aid" to "justice and compensation". "This is not a matter of charity; it is a matter of legal and moral liability.""The major industrial emitters -- such as China, which is the world's top emitter, the United States at number two, and India at number three -- have a historical responsibility to compensate vulnerable nations like Nepal," he said.ALSO READ: Non-Stop Choppers, 48-Hour Queues: Inside Nepal's Himalayan RescueThe CulpritsKhanal said Kathmandu plans to raise the issue of climate change "with absolute firmness and clarity" at international forums. He said the country will also seek compensation from major emitters for climate-related losses suffered by vulnerable countries."This is a matter of civilisational survival. If our Himalayan glaciers disappear, the water security of over two billion people in South Asia dependent on rivers like the Ganges and the Trishuli will be permanently compromised. We are advocating not just for Nepal, but for the survival of South Asian civilization," he said.The minister said Nepal's finance ministry has officially dispatched a formal climate compensation claim letter to its international partners."If our Himalayan glaciers disappear, the water security of over two billion people in South Asia -- dependent on rivers like the Ganges and the Trishuli -- will be permanently compromised. We are advocating not just for Nepal but for the survival of South Asian civilization," he added. ALSO READ: "Bhaago, bhaago": Assam Man Was Stuck On Hill For 4 Days After Nepal FloodIndia's StandAFPIndia has repeatedly emphasised climate equity and highlighted its relatively low per capita emissions. New Delhi argues that climate obligations should take into account differences in countries' historical emissions, development needs, and capacities.New Delhi has supported efforts to address loss and damage suffered by vulnerable developing countries and maintains that Western nations, which industrialised first, occupy the majority of the global carbon budget.It also maintains that developed countries should provide the necessary financial resources to help such nations deal with climate impacts.Nepal's Call for AidNepal has formally approached the board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, seeking urgent financial assistance following the catastrophic flash flood in the Bhotekoshi river basin on August 26, according to The Kathmandu Post report. The mechanism was established at COP27 in 2022 and operationalised at COP28.A letter jointly signed by Nepal's Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Forests and Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary has sought an urgent response to the catastrophic flash flood, which caused widespread loss of life, displacement, and destruction of homes and critical infrastructure."The full scale of economic and non-economic loss and damage has yet to be determined; however, preliminary information indicates that the consequences are extensive and exceed Nepal's immediate response capacity," the letter said.