Paul Kapur, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, has completed his two-day official visit to Nepal.
During his stay in Kathmandu, he held meetings with selected political leaders and government ministers to discuss bilateral priorities and cooperation.
Kapur first met Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). According to a brief statement from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, the meeting aimed to understand the party’s priorities in government.
The two sides also discussed potential areas for strengthening U.S.–Nepal cooperation. However, Kapur did not meet Prime Minister Balendra Shah during his visit. In the past, senior U.S. officials typically met with both the President and the Prime Minister during their visits.
Details of the discussions have largely not been made public. Kapur’s meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment, as well as addressing issues such as illegal immigration and human trafficking. The talks come amid increased deportations of Nepali nationals residing illegally in the United States.
In a separate engagement, Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Waglejoined discussions on improving the country’s business climate and attracting U.S. companies to invest in Nepal. Kapur emphasized that closer economic ties could strengthen Nepal’s transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure, ultimately driving mutual economic growth.
Kapur also interacted with industry leaders, highlighting opportunities to expand U.S. business involvement in Nepal’s ICT sector. Discussions included advancing digital infrastructure, promoting AI adoption, strengthening cybersecurity, and leveraging U.S. technological expertise.
He visited Patan Durbar Square and Boudhnath Stupa, representing the Newari and Tibetan cultures, two of Nepal’s stunning cultural sites. America’s contribution to preserving such sites promotes economic growth and safeguards shared values for future generations, said Kapur. He also met Tibetan community in Kathmandu and asked the government ministers to address their concerns.
