The visiting United States’ Congressional delegation called on Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at Baluwatar on Saturday.
During the meeting both the sides exchanged views on Nepal-US friendship and ways for enhancing multifaceted partnership involving governments, parliaments and people.
Deuba writes in Twitter, “Pleased to welcome the US Congressional delegation led by Senator @SenGillibrand and exchange views on Nepal-US friendship and ways for enhancing multifaceted partnership involving governments, parliaments and people in general. Discussed global issues such as climate change.”
The delegation also held talks with former prime minister and chair of the main opposition CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli.
The delegation also met with Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka on Saturday and discussed various issues.
“The two sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in various areas, including economic development,” the Foreign Ministry tweeted after the meeting.
“Views were also shared on areas of common interest at bilateral and multilateral levels.”
It is understood that Nepal and US are expecting more high-level visits from both the countries this year as Nepal and US are observing 75 years of diplomatic relationships.
The delegation led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) includes Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Cory Booker (New Jersey), Mark Kelly (Arizona), and Representative Mondaire Jones (17thCongressional District, New York) is in Kathmandu for an official visit.
The US high level team arrived on Friday.
Besides, to discuss a wide range of issues from bilateral cooperation to economic assistance and refugees, including Tibetans, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war, the US lawmakers are also discussed on climate change’s effects in the Himalayan region with various high ranking dignitaries of Nepal.
“This visit is part of a longer trip by the delegation, which has included visiting Poland in order to learn how the U.S. can continue to support Ukraine and NATO allies against Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted war, and India,” said the press statement of the US Embassy in Kathmandu.
“Nepal has joined the majority of countries in condemning Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine,” the release added.
Nepal has maintained a constant position against Russian invasion of Ukraine at various UN platforms, voting in favor of the resolutions to condemn Moscow, except for one occasion when it abstained during a vote to oust Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
The US Congress members’ visit comes about two months after Nepal ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) accepting the US $500 million US grant.
The delegation also had an interaction with the members of the Nepal-US Parliamentary Committee. During the meeting the US high level delegation thanked Nepal for endorsing MCC pact.
Earlier it was believed that the US has sent the team also to “thank” the Nepali leadership for ratifying the grant agreement, which Beijing took note of after speaking at least twice against the American aid.
During the discussions, the US team lauded Nepal’s contribution in the various forums of the world including the UN peacekeeping mission.
They also assured that the US is ready to support the management of Nepal’s conflict crisis.
The team is also to call upon former prime minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
