Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised India’s quick relief assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods. He also urged the Indian media not to repeat the mistakes of the 2015 earthquake coverage and stressed the importance of treating Nepal with dignity and respect.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has welcomed the relief assistance provided by India to Nepal following the devastating floods. He said that helping a neighbouring country during a crisis is a natural responsibility. At the same time, he urged the Indian media to remain sensitive and restrained while reporting on relief and rescue operations.

Speaking at an event in Kathmandu, Tharoor discussed the broader relationship between India and Nepal. He said the two countries share deep historical, cultural and social ties, but maintaining those relations also requires mutual respect and sensitivity.

 Reference to the 2015 earthquake coverage

Tharoor referred to the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. India had launched a large-scale relief operation at the time and provided substantial assistance to Nepal. However, Tharoor said that the way parts of the Indian media covered the relief effort had generated resentment among sections of the Nepalese public.

According to him, people affected by a crisis should not repeatedly be made to feel that they owe their survival or relief to a particular country. The primary objective of humanitarian assistance, he said, should be to reduce the suffering of those affected rather than turn aid into publicity.

He therefore appealed to the Indian media to keep Nepal's sensitivities and the feelings of its people in mind while reporting during future crises.

 Praise for India's current relief assistance

While discussing the recent floods, Tharoor praised India's quick response and assistance to Nepal. He said neighbouring countries are expected to stand by each other during difficult times and expressed confidence that additional assistance would be provided if required.

He pointed to the geographical proximity and people-to-people links between India and Nepal, saying that standing together during a natural disaster is a natural extension of the relationship between the two countries.

 Nepal should be treated as a sovereign and equal country

Tharoor stressed that Nepal is a sovereign and equal country and that bilateral engagement should therefore be based on mutual respect.

He also referred to tensions that emerged in India-Nepal relations after 2015. Tharoor criticised the alleged economic blockade during that period and described it as damaging to bilateral relations.

In his view, India's approach towards Nepal should give greater importance to sensitivity and dialogue. Differences between the two countries may arise, but they should be addressed through communication and mutual respect.

 Relationship must go beyond traditional ties

Tharoor also referred to the traditional description of India-Nepal ties as a relationship between families and communities across the border. He said that while these traditional links remain important, bilateral relations need to move beyond cultural and social connections.

He emphasised the importance of respectful dialogue, cooperation and understanding each other's concerns. Nepalese citizens, he said, should feel that their opinions and concerns matter to India.

 Media has an important role

A significant part of Tharoor's comments focused on the role of the media. He said that just as governments need to understand the sensitivity of India-Nepal relations, journalists and media organisations should also approach such issues responsibly.

During a natural disaster, reporting on relief material, rescue operations and assistance is important. However, the manner of reporting should protect the dignity of affected people and avoid creating a sense of humiliation or dependence.

Tharoor's remarks suggest that India's humanitarian assistance should be viewed primarily as support for people facing a crisis and as an opportunity to strengthen trust between the two countries.

 What does this mean for India-Nepal ties?

Tharoor's comments come at a time when Nepal is dealing with the consequences of a major natural disaster and receiving relief assistance from India. His statement combines appreciation for India's humanitarian response with an appeal for greater sensitivity in the way the relationship is discussed.

He stressed that India-Nepal relations are not limited to governments. The people of the two countries have maintained deep social and cultural connections for generations. Therefore, during a crisis, assistance must be accompanied by dignity, respect and sensitivity.