KATHMANDU, Oct 6: Since the formation of the government led by Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal last December, Kathmandu has been the focal point for diplomatic engagements with representatives from powerful nations and international organizations.
Both neighboring countries, India and China, along with other influential nations, are intensifying their engagement with Nepal, resulting in a consistent stream of officials at various levels visiting the capital.
Despite the conclusion of the Maoist peace process following a decade of unrest, other aspects of the peace process remain unfinished, placing pressure on the Dahal-led government.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Nepal from October 13 to 16, coinciding with the failure of major political parties to complete truth-telling and reconciliation work based on party consensus.
Foreign Ministry sources have confirmed Secretary-General Guterres' impending visit, which comes after Prime Minister Dahal met with him during the United Nations General Assembly. Following the assembly, Prime Minister Dahal visited China's northern neighbor before returning to Kathmandu on October 12.
The United States has shown keen interest in the implementation of the MCC agreement, leading to visits by various high-ranking American officials to Kathmandu in recent days. During her stay, Alice Albright, the CEO of MCC, engaged with Nepal's top political leadership, including Prime Minister Dahal, to discuss Nepal's political and economic affairs.
While Alice Albright was in Kathmandu, Australian Speaker Milton Dick also made a visit to Nepal.
In May, Prime Minister Dahal traveled to India, where high-ranking Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, reciprocated the visit by coming to Kathmandu. Furthermore, Afreen Akhtar, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau, visited Nepal, followed by Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, Senior Director of South Asia at the US National Security Council.
In February, Samantha Power, the head of the US Agency for International Development, visited Kathmandu, returning home on February 8. Earlier in January, US Deputy Minister of Political Affairs Victoria Nuland also paid a visit to Nepal.
European Union Commissioner for International Partnership Jutta Urpillainen, British Defense Minister Andrew Morrison, and other high-ranking officials have made official visits to Nepal. In addition, sources indicate that senior officials from neighboring countries India and China are making unofficial visits to Nepal on a regular basis.
