In order to strengthen bilateral ties, a senior US diplomat met with Nepal’s senior leadership on Monday, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda.” During their meeting, the US official committed to investing USD 1 billion in the Himalayan country over the following five years.
On a two-day visit, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Nuland, a skilled diplomat, has served in a number of important roles in the administrations of three American presidents: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.
She is the senior-most foreign dignitary to visit Nepal following Prachanda’s appointment as the prime minister on December 25 last year.
Nuland met Prachanda at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar here.
During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral interests were discussed, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
“The meeting is expected to contribute to further consolidating the bilateral ties,” sources said.
“On the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded the US government for its contributions to the development endeavours in Nepal, expressing hope that such cooperation would be further enhanced ahead,” sources said.
Nuland also congratulated the Nepal Prime Minister on his appointment and wished him a successful term.
“This time we are proud and pleased to talk about all of our projects together for the future, and the US plans to invest over USD 1 billion in Nepal over the next five years in green energy to electrification, and from small to medium-sized enterprises, particularly investing under-represented groups led by women,” Nuland said.
She called on Nepal Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Poudyal and “both sides discussed various matters of mutual interests on bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” according to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nuland also met Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML chief Sharma Oli separately.
During her meeting with Deuba, the “two touched on various issues including the US assistance to Nepal in the areas of the promotion of bilateral relations, democracy, development and good governance,” Nepali Congress sources said.
“They exchanged views on further strengthening the bilateral cooperation,” sources said.
Former prime minister Deuba praised the US’s collaboration and help to Nepal.
Before calling her trip a conclusion on Monday, Nuland toured cultural landmarks at the famed Patan Durbar Square in the Lalitpur area and spoke with the media.
She told reporters, “We have long been friends and supporters of Nepal’s democracy, independence, and sovereignty.”
“We have made historic investments here in agriculture, health, education, and economic development,” she continued.