US supports Nepal’s independent diplomacy: Lu

The United States supports Nepal in maintaining strong relationships with all its neighbors, including China, provided these ties are based on mutual respect and uphold Nepal’s sovereignty and independence, a senior US official has stated. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, highlighted this message during his two-day visit to Nepal, which concluded on Monday.

Speaking with a select group of journalists, Lu said, “We support Nepal in making its own independent decisions without external influence.” His remarks underscore the US stance on fostering Nepal’s ability to act as a sovereign state in its foreign and domestic policies.

During his visit, Lu held meetings with key political leaders, including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and senior government officials. He assured them that US-Nepal collaboration would continue regardless of changes in Nepal’s political leadership. Lu, who has been actively engaged with Nepal for the past four years, played a pivotal role in securing the endorsement of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact in 2022. Reflecting on its progress, he noted, “There has been real progress in implementing the MCC compact, growing the USAID portfolio, increasing US investments in Nepal, and expanding the presence of US volunteers.”

Lu also praised the recent virtual meeting between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and global tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. He described it as a promising development for boosting investment and trade between the two countries, calling it “fantastic.” Additionally, he commended Nepal’s political parties for advancing the transitional justice process, saying, “The passage of transitional justice bills through consensus marks a significant achievement, though challenges and difficult steps remain ahead.”

On the issue of climate change, Lu reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nepal in addressing its vulnerabilities. He recognized Nepal’s expectations for increased development assistance and private sector investment from the US, expressing optimism about further collaboration in tackling climate-related challenges.

However, Lu refrained from commenting on Nepal’s recent agreement with China on Framework Cooperation for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), citing the lack of public disclosure. “I have many questions about the BRI agreement, but I hope it will be shared transparently so Nepali citizens can understand its contents,” he said. He also declined to comment on provisions in the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Oli’s visit to China, particularly those concerning Taiwan. Nevertheless, he emphasized that transparency in such agreements is essential for ensuring public trust and accountability.

Lu’s visit reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with Nepal while supporting its sovereignty, sustainable development, and independent decision-making.