US Envoy Inaugurates Drone at Everest Base Camp, Sparks Diplomatic Concerns

Kathmandu. US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, arrived in Kathmandu on May 1. He returned to Delhi, India, on Saturday night after a 3-day visit.

On Friday, Gor, who reached Everest Base Camp, inaugurated an American drone named Ultra X Gen-2 there. According to American officials, the drone is a cargo drone.

Scott Charge, a representative from the US Embassy in Nepal, was present at the drone inauguration. The drone inaugurated by Gor is said to have the capacity to carry a load of up to 5 kg. Gor had stated during the inauguration that the use of this drone could make the rescue and transportation system in the Everest region effective in the future.

However, many have expressed concern that the US representative flying a drone in the Everest region, which is close to the border between Nepal and China, could affect relations between the two countries.

Domestic individuals and organizations also need to obtain permission to fly drones. Government officials have been evasive about whether the US Special Envoy obtained permission to inaugurate the drone in the Everest region.

Devendra Subedi, Deputy Chief District Officer of Solukhumbu, stated that the district administration only grants permission for 'Kha' category drones and expressed ignorance about the drone inaugurated by Gor. He said, 'I have no prior information about an American diplomat flying a drone at Everest Base Camp.'

Experts say that flying drones near border areas will make both China and India suspicious. Dr. Chandradev Bhatta, an expert in foreign affairs, says, 'When an American diplomat flies a drone, both China and India become suspicious; this matter may also be sensitive from a security perspective.'

Dr. Bhatta stated that such activities will alert both of Nepal's neighbors. News reports have been published stating that Gor said at the base camp area that the US-made drone has the capacity to clean the Everest region and can be used to send oxygen cylinders in emergencies and transport necessary equipment for the rescue of climbers.

Former AIG of Armed Police Narayanbabu Thapa said that if the drone was flown near the Nepal-China border targeting China, that activity would be wrong. He said, 'It's not a big issue if Trump's Special Envoy Sergio Gor just observed the glaciers and natural conditions.'

Thapa said that it would only become an issue if Gor flew a drone near the Nepal-China border to observe activities on the Chinese side. He said, 'It depends on what his purpose is.'

On Saturday, Gor held a meeting with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane. He also met with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle and Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal.

Sharing information about the meeting on social media, Gor wrote, 'Nepal has an incredible mandate for change with its new government, and the reforms they have announced are very promising.'

The drone inaugurated by Gor is said to have been manufactured by Free Fly System. This drone is used to lift large cameras for filming.