US diplomat Verma arriving today

Kathmandu, August 16: Four days after the return of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma is set to arrive in Nepal today.

This marks the highest-level US visit since KP Sharma Oli was appointed Prime Minister. According to American Embassy sources in Nepal, Verma will meet with President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba, and other senior officials.

Verma’s visit includes meetings with senior government officials, development project representatives, and business leaders. Discussions are expected to cover topics such as economic development, women's empowerment, and agreements in energy and other sectors.

Appointed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on August 6 as a special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery, Verma is a prominent figure in the Biden administration. He is well-regarded for his knowledge of Nepal and has previously refuted claims that the US has provided religious aid, asserting that there is no such policy.

Following his one-day visit to Nepal, Verma is scheduled to travel to India on Saturday, where he will remain until August 22.

During his time in India, he will be accompanied by John Podesta, Senior Adviser on International Climate Policy, and David Turk, Under Secretary of the US Department of Energy.

Verma has also served in the US Army and was formerly the US Ambassador to India.