US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur Visits Nepal Amid Regional Geopolitical Shifts
Kathmandu. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur is currently on a visit to Nepal. He has begun his official engagements, holding discussions today with the US Charge d'Affaires Scott Urbom and other embassy officials.
He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle later today. In February, prior to the commencement of elections in Nepal, Kapur briefed the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asian Affairs regarding the movements in Bangladesh and Nepal.
In Bangladesh, a government led by Tarique Rahman was formed a year after the movement. Regarding Nepal, he had expressed that the US would cooperate with whichever government emerges from the upcoming elections following the Gen-Z movement.
Kapur stated, 'In the context of Nepal, we are confident that there will be a safe and peaceful election process, and we are prepared to work with whoever wins.'
'New governments have been formed in Bangladesh and Nepal following youth-led movements. This is a sign of change,' he remarked during the subcommittee meeting. He also highlighted that Nepal, situated between two massive nations, India and China, faces a sensitive geopolitical situation. He added, 'They must be protected from debt-trap diplomacy.'
Media reports indicate that Kapur emphasized that a primary US objective is to prevent the dominance of any single power in South Asia. He expressed concerns regarding Chinese pressure on Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, as well as the loans provided by China.
According to the Indian news agency IANS, he commented during the meeting that China is advancing its security interests through the BRI and trapping smaller nations in debt.
He further stated that it is the duty of the US to prevent the sole dominance of China or any other country in South Asia. He advocated for the US to expand its relations and prioritize trade in the region.
Following the subcommittee meeting, Minister Kapur visited Bangladesh. He is now visiting Nepal immediately after the formation of the government following the Gen-Z movement.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
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