On the occasion of the 61th Republic Day of India on August 15, 2013, twenty ambulances and four buses were gifted by Government of India to various hospitals, non-profit charitable organizations and educational institutions from twenty districts in Nepal.

At a public function held in the Embassy premises in Kathmandu to mark India's Independence Day on August 15, 2013, Ambassador, Jayant Prasad hoisted the national flag and read out the Address of the President of India, delivered to the nation on August 14, 2013 which stressed among other things India's support for peace, stability and development in its neighborhood.

The Ambassador presented fourteen ambulances and three buses to recipient organizations from sixteen districts. The remaining six ambulances and one bus were gifted by the Consulate General of India, Birgunj to organizations under its consular jurisdiction. During the function, Ambassador also presented books to fifty educational and training institutions located in different regions of Nepal, including the remote districts.

Since 1994 Government of India has gifted 402 ambulances to various organizations across 70 districts in Nepal. This has helped in bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of thousands of people who do not have access to healthcare services. India has also so far gifted 78 buses to various educational and welfare institutions across 24 districts in Nepal, making access to education easier for thousands of students.

Gifting of ambulances and buses is a part of the larger India-Nepal Development Partnership with an overall outlay of over NRs. 65 billion. The cooperation consists of 450 large and small projects in the sectors of health, education and infrastructure development which reflects the commitment of the Government and the people of India to work together with the people of Nepal in their stride towards peace and development. These projects stand as a symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries.