Deepening Nepal-US Ties

Ever since Nepal and the United States of America established their diplomatic ties in 1947, friendly relations between the two countries have grown deeper. High-level diplomatic exchanges and visits from both nations have taken this relationship to a new height. The US has remained a development partner, extending billions of dollars in grants and assistance to the resource-strapped Himalayan nation. Since the formalisation of the relationship, the Americans have sent volunteers to Nepal as development workers under its peace-corps mission and provided financial grants and technical support in the field of infrastructure, health and education. The oldest democracy in the world has constantly been aiding Nepal in its endeavours to promote democracy through various means.

Nepal and the US marked the establishment of the 75th year of diplomatic ties, which fell on April 29, by emphasising the strong relationship that existed between them since the end of the Second World War. Since then, the US has been an ally. The US support for Nepal in controlling diseases is remarkable and praiseworthy. The American government assisted Nepal in the fight against malaria in the 1960s. Lately, the US provided $ 125 million and 3.8 million COVID vaccines to tackle the pandemic challenges. Admiring the rich cultural history of Nepal, the world's superpower exhibited urgency in restoring Nepal's heritage. Under the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, the US Embassy in Nepal has so far carried out projects worth $ 3.8 million. The restoration of the famous Gaddi Baithak of Basantpur Palace damaged in the 2015 earthquake is one such project. 

Recently, Nepal ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal compact worth $ 500 million in grants that will upgrade Nepal's power transmission lines and road networks. For receiving the MCC grants, Nepal fulfilled the requirements of keeping its democratic and human rights record at a satisfactory level. Meanwhile, marking the occasion, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba hailed the strong Nepal-US bilateral ties and stated the country looked forward to more high-level engagement and economic partnership with America. US Foreign Secretary Antony J. Blinken praised Nepal for transforming the governance system, achieving economic progress and growing international participation. The US felt proud to be a development partner of Nepal and hoped the strong ties would continue in the coming decades. The US, according to US Ambassador Randy Berry, is pleased over the Nepali people's laudable progress in the field of medicine and science, mountaineering feats, and bravery as UN peacekeepers, besides enriching the world's heritage through the diversity of arts and culture.

Truly, Americans and Nepalis have stood together through all the changes taking place in both nations. People-to-people connection, the issue of sovereignty and democratic values are the strong pedestals on which Nepal-US ties have rested over the years. As the world has encountered quandary in dealing with challenging situations, the two friendly nations - Nepal and the US - need each other more than ever to handle pressing issues such as the climate crisis and protection of democratic values in the world from the clutches of authoritarian rulers. Strong bilateral ties have withstood the test of time. The ties will grow stronger and deeper should the two nations remain committed to each other's well-being.