Foreign Affairs
Two days after former Maoist rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda began his third term as the head of government, the United States has congratulated the people of Nepal, the new prime minister and his coalition partners.
China and India congratulated Prachanda soon after he took oath of office on Sunday, December 25.
In a statement issued by the US Department of State on December 27, Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has said that the US looks forward to supporting Nepal as it continues to deepen its democratic traditions.
The statement said: “We are proud to have robust and longstanding ties with Nepal and will continue to stand with the Government of Nepal to promote issues of mutual importance including achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, strengthening Nepal’s climate resilience, and upholding democracy and respect for human rights.”
It added: “Nepal’s commitment to democracy is an example to countries around the world. We look forward to supporting Nepal as it continues to deepen its democratic traditions in accordance with the will of the Nepali people.”
The US-Nepal diplomatic relations started in 1947. Twelve years later the US set up its embassy in Kathmandu. Nepal reciprocated soon, establishing its embassy in Washington DC. But even before that the US started extending development assistance to Nepal. The first of which came in 1951.
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