Indian Professor Anil Kumar Mohapatra has called for Nepal and India to collaborate on climate change mitigation and control, welcoming Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s recent proposal for a trilateral mechanism involving China.
Professor Mohapatra made these remarks at an interaction program organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous organization of the Government of India established in 1950 to foster cultural exchange, and the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) at Tribhuvan University, one of the university’s research centers dedicated to humanities and social sciences research. He stressed that climate change is a shared concern requiring a joint, effective mechanism.
He elaborated on Prime Minister Shah’s proposal, made at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2026, to establish a ‘Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism’ led by Nepal, India, and China. Shah had stressed the need for this mechanism to facilitate the exchange of satellite data and technical knowledge, monitor vulnerable glacial lakes, and develop joint early warning systems.
“As Prime Minister Shah stated, disasters have no borders,” Professor Mohapatra said, advocating for the three Himalayan nations to work together effectively to address the climate crisis. He highlighted the recent Bhote Koshi flood, which impacted citizens from Nepal, India, and China, as an example of how natural disasters affect the Himalayan region indiscriminately.
Professor Mohapatra also underscored the unique nature of Nepal-India relations, asserting that they should not be viewed solely through a political lens. He explained that India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ prioritizes Nepal, and this policy should be founded on respect, dialogue, peace, and prosperity.
During the program, Dr. Mrigendra Bahadur Karki, Chairman of CNAS, discussed various dimensions of Nepal-India relations, noting the significance of the foreign policies and divine teachings of Shah dynasty kings, from Ram Shah to Prithvi Narayan Shah. Professor Ananda Aditya also contributed, stating that Nepal-India relations transcend politics, encompassing economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
Himalayan climate vulnerability and recent disasters
Nepal, despite contributing less than 0.1 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, ranking fourth among the most at-risk nations. Prime Minister Shah’s proposal for a trilateral mechanism came in the wake of devastating floods in the Himalayan region.
The Bhote Koshi River experienced a severe flood on August 26, 2026, which swept away the Miteri Bridge connecting Nepal and China at Rasuwagadhi and caused extensive loss of life and property. Preliminary assessments estimate the recent Bhote Koshi flood and subsequent disasters caused approximately $3 billion in damages, with reconstruction efforts projected to cost $4.77 billion (over Rs 700 billion). As of Tuesday, Ashoj 14 (BS), 1,454 bodies have been recovered, and 4,718 people remain missing from the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods. The government has since decided to prioritize ‘search and recovery’ operations in the affected areas.
Unanswered questions and future steps
While Prime Minister Shah’s proposal for a ‘Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism’ has been welcomed by Professor Mohapatra, the official reactions from India and China remain unclear. The actual cause of the Bhote Koshi flood is also yet to be determined, with Chinese authorities reportedly unaware of its origin.
Analysts have also raised questions regarding Prime Minister Shah’s use of the phrase “let the Himalayas be a laboratory for international cooperation” at the UN General Assembly, suggesting it might be diplomatically and politically inappropriate, potentially increasing the risk of the Himalayas being interpreted as a site for international research and exploitation. Furthermore, the Hindu Kush Himalayan region includes eight countries—Nepal, India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—leading to concerns that mentioning only three countries might exclude other crucial regional partners.
In related developments, the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property from the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods and monsoon-related disasters, thanking all involved in search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. Civil society and stakeholders have also urged the government to ensure the proposed National Climate Policy, 2083 BS, is timely, inclusive, participatory, rights-based, and effective, emphasizing the need for adequate and meaningful discussions with all stakeholders, including climate-affected communities, before finalization.
For more on flood-damaged infrastructure, see Road Department seeks Rs 53 billion for flood-damaged infrastructure. For broader climate discussions, refer to Nepal urged to highlight climate solutions, investment opportunities.
