The latest assistance is another testament to the close cooperation between the two armies and the two countries

Demonstrating solidarity and close cooperation in fighting Covid-19 together, India on Friday gifted medical equipment including ventilators and ambulances worth Nepal Rupees (NR) 28.80 Crore to the Nepali Army.

The medical equipment and supplies have been provided by the Indian Army in keeping with India's Neighbourhood First Policy, said a statement of the Indian Embassy of Nepal.

The medical equipment was handed over by Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra to General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of the Nepali Army in a ceremony at Nepali Army Headquarters, Tundikhel.

Ambassador Kwatra reaffirmed India’s support to Nepali Army in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and lauded its contribution in this respect.

The medical equipment, including Ventilators, Ambulances, ICU beds, PPE Kits, and PCR test Kits was delivered to Kathmandu on Thursday.

The Indian Army has been assisting the Nepali Army to fight COVID-19 through various kinds of assistance since last year, including 1 lakh doses of Covishield vaccines which were provided in March 2021.

The latest assistance is another testament to the close cooperation between the two armies and the two countries, particularly in times of need.

“Fighting COVID-19 Together. As a gesture of solidarity & close cooperation, medical equipment including Ventilators & Ambulances was handed over today by Ambassador Kwatra to General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of the Nepali Army,” said a Twitter post of the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

Nepal Army Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Shantosh Ballave Poudyal also tweeted about the receipt of medical supplies provided by Indian Army to the Nepal Army.

“The medical supplies provided by the Indian Army to the Nepal Army have been handed over by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, His Excellency Mr. Vinay Mohan Quatra, to the Chief of Army Staff, Maharthi Purnachandra Thapa at a function held at Jangi Adda today,” he said in the post.

As Nepal continues to reel under the second wave of Coronavirus, India has stood together and has assisted Nepal in its fight against the pandemic by supplying PPE kits, medical equipment including ventilators and ambulances and vaccines.

So far, India has provided a total of 2.48 million doses of made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal.