KATHMANDU, July 15: Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, concluded his one-day visit to Nepal on Friday, focusing on the implementation of  Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) projects and strengthening bilateral relations. 

The high-level political visit aimed to engage with key political actors in the country and ensure the smooth implementation of the MCC projects, which is set to enter the implementation phase next week, according to government officials. 

Assistant Secretary Lu arrived in Kathmandu on Friday afternoon and held marathon meetings with the country's top political leaders throughout the day. During his stay in Kathmandu, Lu met with Foreign Minister NP Saud and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Dahal at Baluwatar, Assistant Secretary Lu also offered his condolences to the bereaved family members for the demise of Sita Dahal, the spouse of Prime Minister Dahal.

A meeting was held between Assistant Secretary Lu and UML Chairman Oli at the latter's residence in Balkot, focusing on various bilateral issues, including the implementation of the MCC. US Ambassador Dean R Thompson accompanied Lu during the meeting, which was also attended by UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Rimal, Chief of UML Foreign Department Rajan Bhattarai, and member Anjan Shakya also present.

NC President Deuba expressed satisfaction with the constructive discussion on strengthening Nepal-US relations during the meeting, stating, "I am happy to have had a fruitful meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu. There was a constructive discussion on strengthening Nepal-US relations," he said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, Lu met with Foreign Minister Saud at the latter's office in Singh Durbar. The two leaders discussed the implementation of MCC projects, Nepal's graduation from least developed country status to a developing country by 2026, bilateral relations, and the continuation and increase of assistance from the US to Nepal.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Saud expressed gratitude to Lu for the regular support received from the US and the special assistance provided during the COVID-19 crisis. Lu pledged the continued support of the United States to Nepal as a long-time development partner in fulfilling the country's development aspirations.

This visit marks Lu's third visit to Nepal and the first since Dahal assumed office as prime minister last December. Lu's initial visit to Kathmandu in November 2021 aimed to influence the political leadership to endorse the MCC Compact, which was eventually ratified by Parliament on February 27, 2022.

Lu's second visit to Nepal in July 2022 followed Kathmandu's decision to decline participation in the US State Partnership Program (SPP) due to significant public opposition. Although the US Embassy in Kathmandu stated that Lu's visit was part of his regular diplomatic engagements in South Asia, government officials noted that the implementation of the MCC projects featured prominently during the meetings.

Sources said Assistant Secretary Lu thanked the political leaders for expediting the implementation of MCC projects and pledged further assistance to Nepal to ensure smooth transition after the LDC graduation in 2026.

During his stay in Nepal, Lu also learned about how American companies are helping Nepalis acquire new and unique skills, such as at Incessant Rain, according to the US Embassy in Kathmandu. Lu, who visited Nepal as part of his trip to South Asian nations, including India and Bangladesh, returned home on Friday night, as confirmed by US Embassy sources.

 
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