Lu also assures the political change in the US will not affect its relationship with Nepal
KATHMANDU, Dec 10: Visiting US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has commended the consensus among Nepal’s major parties in adopting recent laws and the progress towards delivering Transitional Justice (TJ) to conflict victims.
While acknowledging the challenging road ahead, Assistant Secretary Lu stressed the importance of transparency and inclusivity in the formation of TJ commissions to address past injustices. “During my visit, I congratulated the government on passing the transitional justice law. I understand there are many challenging steps ahead in this process, but it is impressive to see this adopted by consensus. Both government and opposition leaders are now working together to establish the commissions,” he said.
The remarks of the senior US diplomat came in the wake of the recently released shortlist of potential candidates to fill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), sparking fresh debate with concerns about transparency and inclusivity. Several organizations representing conflict victims and civil society members have demanded corrections in the process of appointing TJ office bearers.
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While addressing a group of journalists before wrapping up his two-day visit to Nepal on Monday, Assistant Secretary Lu mentioned that the ongoing discussions around transitional justice are critical. “It's essential for society to engage in dialogue and for leaders to consider public inputs. A democratic process ensures accountability and fairness in addressing past injustices,” he further said, while encouraging broad societal engagement in this critical endeavor.
Lu arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday as part of a three-nation South Asia tour, marking his fourth visit to Nepal in his current role at the U.S. State Department. During his stay in Nepal, Lu held meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba. He also held meetings with civil society leaders including the embassy's Youth Council members.
Lu mentioned that they discussed the progress in our bilateral relations such as implementation of the MCC compact, expanding the USAID portfolio, increasing Development Finance Corporation investments and growing the Peace Corps volunteer program. “There has also been significant follow-up from the investment summit earlier this year, such as Nepal's first sovereign credit rating, which was very positive,” he said.
Highlighting the urgent need to address the global climate crisis, Assistant Secretary Lu emphasized climate change as a central theme of his visit to Nepal. During his visit to Nepal, Lu announced a $900,000 U.S. State Department project in collaboration with ICIMOD to empower women in green energy initiatives across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
“Women play a tremendous role in the economies of these countries and can contribute to creating sustainable environmental solutions as we face the challenges of climate change,” Lu stated. The project aims to foster entrepreneurship among women, promoting innovative solutions in renewable energy—a vital step as South Asia grapples with rising temperatures, glacier melt, and extreme weather.
Lu underscored the Biden administration’s prioritization of climate change and its commitment to supporting Nepal in its environmental and economic challenges. While acknowledging the upcoming political transition in the US, Lu expressed hope that the focus on climate issues would continue under future administrations, regardless of the new administration in White House.
Lu also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the implementation of the MCC Compact projects, noting that the political tension seen earlier has subsided and that there is now consensus among all parties to implement the projects. “The MCC Compact is progressing well, creating 10,000 good-paying jobs in Nepal and enabling infrastructure development, such as transmission lines and roads. These projects will generate significant economic benefits, including over $100 million annually from energy exports to India. Earlier political tensions have subsided, and there is now consensus on its positive impact,” he noted.
Touching upon Nepal’s geopolitical positioning, Lu lauded the country’s efforts to maintain balanced relations with its neighbors including India and China. “The United States strongly supports Nepal’s sovereignty and independence, enabling it to make decisions free from external pressures,” he remarked. He reaffirmed that a robust economy and diversified partnerships would empower Nepal to navigate regional and global dynamics effectively.
Lu also assured that the political change in the US will not affect the relation of the US to Nepal. “I want to emphasize the continuity of high-level U.S. engagement in Nepal. Although there will be political change soon in the United States, President-elect Trump prioritized relations with Asia during his earlier administration and we expect that to continue. Our strong, 77-year-old partnership will remain steadfast, reflecting the warm friendship between our peoples,” he added.
