Why is Nepal seeking climate compensation from India and China?

Severe Devastation and Casualties: The country has been ravaged by catastrophic flash floods that have claimed over 1,100 lives (with the toll climbing to 1,243) and left thousands of people missing. The disaster has displaced thousands of residents and caused widespread destruction to homes, roads, bridges, and critical hydropower infrastructure.

A Shift to "Climate Justice": Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal announced that Nepal is actively transitioning its foreign policy regarding natural disasters. Rather than treating these events as typical humanitarian emergencies, the country is officially shifting its diplomatic framework "from aid to justice and compensation".

Funding Reconstruction and Resettlement: The government, led by Prime Minister Balendra "Balen" Shah, is seeking these compensatory funds to facilitate relief, long-term resettlement, and rebuilding. To step up these diplomatic efforts, Nepal is considering taking the issue directly to the United Nations General Assembly.