NEW DELHI: India on Thursday announced $1 billion in aid to rebuild Nepal, more than double of what Nepal pledged for its reconstruction, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj emphasising that from "the debris of destruction a stronger united and more confident Nepal will rise".The aid will be used to rebuild physical infrastructure including schools, roads, hospitals as well as some key heritage sites that have been devastated by the earthquake.India’s contribution is almost one seventh of the total requirement of $6.7 billion to rebuild the Himalayan state. And one-fourth of the one billion dollar that India announced for reconstruction will be provided to Nepal as a grant. At the maiden International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction attended by over 200 delegates from various parts of the world at Kathmandu, Swaraj said: "Nepal is not alone. Today, I convey to you the deep and abiding commitment of the government of India and 1.25 billion people of India to stand shoulder to shoulder with you."A total of 400 billion Nepali rupees was announced for reconstruction at the conference. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, addressing the meet, announced a support for $483 million towards reconstruction of Nepal.Referring to the operation India undertook to help Nepal, Swaraj said, "Operation Maitri was our largest ever disaster assistance effort abroad valued at nearly Rs 400 billion." "...what is important is not that this support was larger than other foreign countries; what matters is the strong feeling of empathy and the instantaneous, instinctive and heart-felt response from Indians for their Nepali brothers and sisters."Later when Swaraj met Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav, he thanked India for its "tremendous assistance" and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for playing an important role in ensuring that the quake-hit country gets back on its feet as soon as possible.Swaraj hailed Nepal’s efforts in making a major bid to rebuild the nation and said raising $6.7 billion was a challenging task. "As the oldest and closest friend, India is ready to stand with Nepal," she said."We can do so more meaningfully in areas where our expertise and Nepal's need match. These include agriculture, housing, roads and transport, electricity, health, education, cultural heritage, and disaster risk reduction," she said, outlining the areas where India would provide support.This pledge of $1 billion is over and above India’s existing bilateral developmental assistance of another $1 billion over the next five years, 40% of which would be grant.The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during an international donors' conference here. Swaraj hoped that a "stronger, united and more confident Nepal will rise" from the debris of destruction.She said one fourth of the $1 billion assistance will be grant and it will be over and above India's existing bilateral developmental assistance of another $1 billion over the next five years which takes the total assistance to $2 billion.Swaraj conveyed India's "deep and abiding commitment" to rebuilding of Nepal and highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured a prompt rescue and relief operation within six hours of the 7.9-magnitude April 25 quake."Today I convey to you the deep and abiding commitment of the Government and 1.25 billion people of India and the personal commitment of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you seek to wipe the tears of every Nepali," Swaraj said."We reacted as if a disaster had struck India," Swaraj said.There has been an overwhelming outpouring of sympathy, support and solidarity with Nepal and people in India "opened their hearts" to come to the country's assistance, she said.The International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction has been organised by the Nepalese government to raise funds for rebuilding the country devasted by a powerful earthquake that struck exactly two months back on April 25, killing about 9,000 people and injuring around 23,000 others besides flattening over five lakh houses."I am happy to announce Government of India's pledge for Nepal's post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepali Rupees 10,000 crore, equivalent to $1 billion, one fourth of it as Grant," Swaraj said."This pledge is over and above our existing bilateral developmental assistance of another $1 billion over the next five years, forty per cent of which would be Grant," she said.The conference was attended by several countries, including China, Britain, Norway, Japan, Sri Lanka, the European Union besides the UN, World Bank and Asian Development Bank."I salute the resilience of the people of Nepal and reassure you of India's full support. The terrible disaster and continuing aftershocks have not diminished the indomitable spirit of the Nepalese people. They are calm and dignified in their tragedy," Swaraj said."I see a quiet confidence and a steely determination as they seek to rebuild their lives and their communities. Every challenge is an opportunity. Out of adversity comes strength. Without doubt, from the debris of destruction, a stronger, united and more confident Nepal will rise," Swaraj said.Emphasising that the entire world celebrated the first international Yoga Day, symbolising the coming together for a common, higher purpose, Swaraj said, "Today, let us take inspiration from the ancient philosophy of Yoga and join hands to create a more resilient Nepal."Talking about ties between the two neighbours, she said "Ours is a 'Roti-Beti ka Sambandh' (a bond of family and kinship)."The External Affairs Minister said India's response was "swift, spontaneous and substantive" as its rescue teams arrived in Nepal within six hours of the earthquake."Operation Maitri was our largest ever disaster assistance effort abroad, valued at nearly four billion Indian Rupees. But what is important is not that this support was larger than other foreign countries; what matters is the strong feeling of empathy and the instantaneous, instinctive and heart-felt response from Indians for their Nepali brothers and sisters," Swaraj said.Observing that Nepal's challenge would be to ensure efficient and transparent utilisation of the funds, Swaraj said India will continue to work closely with the Nepalese government.She also congratulated the National Planning Commission of Nepal for their comprehensive recovery needs assessment, prepared in collaboration with more than 200 international experts."The PDNA (Post Disaster Needs Assessment) has been a participatory and credible international effort, to which India was privileged to contribute. It will be the framework for donors to finalise their relief packages and pledges," she said.The PDNA report estimates huge reconstruction needs of $6.7 billion."Mobilisation of resources of this magnitude is a challenging task. But Nepal is not alone...India stands ready to provide a lead and shoulder its responsibilities towards Nepal, our oldest and closest friend and neighbour," she said.Swaraj said India stands ready to depute its professionals to share their expertise and experience in Nepal's reconstruction efforts.She said India can share its expertise in sectors including agriculture, housing, roads and transport, electricity, health, education, cultural heritage, and disaster risk reduction.Noting that the two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Nepal have given a significant impetus to bilateral cooperation, Swaraj said, "Hydropower projects now need to be speedily implemented and work on construction of the Kathmandu-Nijgadh fast track road and the Nijgadh airport with India's participation should be expedited."These projects will create new job opportunities, contribute to revenue, and facilitate long-term recovery," she said.