India Gifts 40 Ambulances to Nepal in Latest Healthcare Support Drive
In a reaffirmation of its longstanding developmental partnership with Nepal, the Government of India has handed over 40 ambulances to healthcare institutions across 33 districts in all seven provinces of Nepal. The initiative, rooted in over three decades of cross-border cooperation, was marked by a simultaneous handover ceremony held at four strategic locations: the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Consulate General of India in Birgunj, and the Pension Paying Offices in Pokhara and Dharan.
Among the 40 vehicles, 22 were distributed in Kathmandu alone, while Birgunj and Pokhara received seven each, and Dharan was allocated four. These ambulances will be deployed in rural and urban municipalities, reinforcing Nepal’s emergency healthcare infrastructure in regions often underserved by robust medical logistics.
At the primary ceremony in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, symbolically handed over the keys to local government leaders, beneficiary organizations, and civil society representatives. The event saw attendance from mayors, chairpersons, and health officials representing districts from Bagmati, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.
In his address, Deputy Chief Shrivastava emphasized that the gifting of ambulances remains one of India’s enduring commitments under the Nepal-India Development Partnership, specifically aimed at strengthening Nepal’s health infrastructure. “This initiative is part of a broader and vibrant partnership that has not only endured but flourished over the past seven decades,” he remarked.
Beneficiaries at the event and in other locations echoed a common sentiment: deep appreciation for India’s consistent support to grassroots development. Many noted that these ambulances would significantly improve emergency response and patient transportation, particularly in geographically challenging and resource-scarce areas.
India’s commitment to Nepal’s public health sector is not new. Since 1994, the Government of India has gifted a total of 1,049 ambulances across the country, including those distributed today. The scope of logistical assistance goes beyond ambulances. India has also provided 300 school buses to educational institutions, 200 vehicles to support Nepal’s election processes in 2022, and more recently, in May 2025, 15 electric vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to aid the organization of the first edition of the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’.
This pattern of cooperation underscores the depth of people-to-people ties between the two nations. The consistent delivery of essential services and equipment demonstrates India’s intention not just to support the Nepali government, but to strengthen the social fabric that binds the two countries together.
As Nepal continues its journey toward inclusive development, such initiatives serve as reminders that international diplomacy can be grounded in practical impact—especially when driven by shared history, mutual respect, and regional solidarity.
