§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress they have made in securing international support and assistance to the Government of Nepal during its current national emergency; and. [HL4842]
What immediate bilateral response they are making to the request of the Government of Nepal for urgent material assistance, in the form of both military aid and rural development, following the latest Maoist incursions; and [HL4843]
What has been the nature of their latest conversations with the Indian Government about the need for an immediate response to the crisis in Nepal; and with what result. [HLA844]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)We are committed to continuing our developmental, political and military assistance to Nepal.
We are working closely with our international colleagues in identifying ways to resolve Nepal's problems. It was in this context that the UK hosted an international meeting in London on 19–20 June. We invited representatives from the Nepalese Government and from other countries who share our concerns, including India, the US and China.
The meeting resulted in an agreed statement reconfirming support for the Nepalese Government, while also stressing the need for them to match this with internal reform.
We have recently approved a package of measures for Nepal totalling £6.7 million as part of our strategy towards South Asia for this financial year. The project will be aimed at short-term development and reinforcing Nepal's developmental, military and police capacity.
My honourable friend the Member for North Warwickshire spoke to the New Indian High Commissioner, Ranendra Sen, recently during which he passed on HMG's appreciation of the efforts India has made in assisting the Nepalese Government. Like the UK, India has expressed support for the Nepalese Government in dealing with the current crisis. I hope that this support will continue both bilaterally and within an integrated international approach.