Kathmandu, May 2: Sergio Gore, the United States Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, began his political meetings in Nepal on Friday by meeting with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. Gore, who also serves as the US Ambassador to India, arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday evening and met with Nepalese government ministers the following day. He is the highest-ranking US official to visit Nepal since the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27.
During these meetings, both sides discussed enhancing economic cooperation and various issues related to bilateral relations. Following his meeting with Finance Minister Wagle, Gore posted on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “Our discussions covered several important topics, particularly focusing on improving the business environment, increasing employment through technology, and exploring new opportunities for economic cooperation that would benefit both countries.”
Recently, the US has shown increased interest in investing in Nepal’s technology sector. Elon Musk’s company, Starlink, is in talks with officials about launching its services in Nepal. Meanwhile, the American media company Netflix is also preparing to enter the Nepali market. Nepal is looking towards the US for software exports, as IT services have become a significant export sector in recent years.
The Nepalese Ministry of Finance reported that discussions also took place regarding economic partnership and US aid. The US was previously Nepal’s largest bilateral donor, but India surpassed it in the fiscal year 2024-25. However, the US has continued its assistance under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). There has been some controversy surrounding the MCC in Nepal, with some believing it could affect the country’s sovereignty. The US has dismissed these allegations, stating that the plan aims solely at developing electricity transmission lines and roads in Nepal, for which $550 million in aid is being provided.
The portion of the Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line being built in Nepal is also under the MCC. The meeting between Foreign Minister Khanal and Gore also addressed the MCC. According to the US Embassy, there was a positive discussion on enhancing cooperation, boosting trade, and advancing MCC-related projects.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both countries emphasized the need to increase investment and trade. In addition to meeting political leaders, Gore is also expected to engage with members of Nepal’s business community. It remains unclear whether he will meet with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, as Shah is strictly following protocol for meetings with foreign leaders.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
