Oct -0, Kathmandu - Australia has announced an additional 15 million Australian dollars in aid to Nepal for relief and rehabilitation following the Rasuwa floods.

With this, the total aid announced by Australia for Nepal's disaster response has reached 26 million Australian dollars. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the additional assistance was announced during the talks held by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal with Foreign Minister Penny Wong during his visit to Australia. Earlier, Australia had provided search and rescue equipment, technical experts and 11 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance. The talks also discussed cooperation in climate change, glacier monitoring, modernization of early warning systems and construction of climate-adapted infrastructure.

Similarly, Minister Khanal has urged Australia to facilitate the visa process for Nepali students. The discussions also covered technical education, joint research, increasing scholarship quotas, investment in hydropower, renewable energy, tourism and establishing direct air links between the two countries. Minister Khanal returned home on Saturday after completing his official visit to Australia. During his visit, he also participated in the high-level 'Pre-COPE Leaders' Event' on climate change organized in Fiji and Tuvalu.