KATHMANDU: The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu paid a courtesy call on Chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Friday.
Talking to media persons following the meeting, Chairman Prachanda informed that his party was not for the withdrawal of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project.
“The money from MCC is for our development. They are ready to extend support and we’re also ready to accept it. There is no problem in principle. However, there is doubt.”
Discussion was held on how the doubt could be wiped out in a positive way, he said, adding that even after some amendment, there is doubt. Problem lies there.
In the beginning there was no provision of endorsement from the parliament, which was added later, he said, informing that it was decided to call an all-party meeting to dwell on MCC.
On the occasion, the US Assistant Secretary Lu expected the conclusion on MCC by December 14. “We also make efforts to create positive environment,” Dahal added.
Moreover, Chairperson Dahal said the project was necessary for Nepal because it would create jobs within the country. Dahal also shared with the media that discussion on Nepal’s development process and potential was held in an amicable manner.
Lu reminded that he had visited Nepal frequently in the past and was aware that there was huge potential of clean energy here.
Leader Dahal also made aware the visiting US official that agriculture and industrial sectors were other areas that could employ youths in Nepal.
Secretary Lu calls on Foreign Minister Khadka
The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the United States Department of State Donald Lu paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka on Friday afternoon.
During the meeting, discussions were held on wider areas of Nepal-US friendship and cooperation. Foreign Minister Dr. Khadka thanked the US Government for valuable medical support including vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conversation also covered various areas of Nepal’s development priorities as well as the role of trade and investment in the post-pandemic economic recovery.
The two sides exchanged views on the longstanding US cooperation to Nepal, including MCC projects that could be important for the country’s economic development.
The Assistant Secretary of State, while conveying to the Foreign Minister the congratulatory message from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, looked forward to working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on matters of mutual interests. He also assured the Foreign Minister of the continued US cooperation to Nepal.
Acknowledging the adverse impacts of climate change on climate vulnerable mountainous countries like Nepal, the two sides discussed effective climate action and the need for financing adaptation and mitigation measures.
The two sides discussed the dynamics of Nepal-US relations in the changed international context as well as the ways and means to take forward bilateral engagements, including through the exchange of high-level visits, economic partnerships and people to people contacts.
