High-level Indian team arrives in Nepal

A high-level Indian team arrived here on Tuesday to find out Nepal's needs to overcome the losses suffered in the terrible temblor and how New Delhi can help in reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The additional secretary in the Indian Prime Minister's Office, P.K. Mishra, and the joint secretary (north) in the external affairs ministry, Abay Thakur, reached Kathmandu for discussions with Nepali officials.

They will also interact with Indian diplomats in Nepal.

At a time when Nepal is bracing to rebuild a country battered by the 7.9 magnitude quake of April 25 that killed thousands and caused widespread destruction, India wants to know Nepal's priorities, said a Nepali official.

He described the Indian delegation as a "special team" that will try to assess the post-disaster needs of Nepal. It will study the areas of possible cooperation and aid that India can pledge.

Mishra will work as a "reconstruction and planning expert" in the post-disaster phase, informed sources said.

Mishra played a key role in Gujarat after the Indian state was hit by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on January 26, 2001 in which 13,800 people were killed. He oversaw reconstruction then.

A senior Indian official said as soon as Modi returned from his three-nation tour this week, a framework for assistance for Nepal will be prepared.