In a clear bid to strengthen bilateral economic bonds, US envoy Sergio Gor arrived in Kathmandu Thursday evening and dove straight into crucial dialogues Friday with Nepal’s top ministers.
Gor, dual-hatted as US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South-Central Asia, met Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. Marking the senior-most US visit post the March 27 inauguration of PM Balendra Shah’s administration, the sessions emphasized ramping up trade, investment, and tech collaborations.
‘Productive discussions on enhancing business ecosystems, tech-enabled jobs, and fresh economic prospects benefiting both sides,’ Gor posted on X following his finance ministry huddle.
This aligns with surging US appetite for Nepal’s digital economy. Starlink negotiations for satellite internet rollout are underway, Netflix scouts local expansion, and Nepal banks on US markets for IT outsourcing growth.
Aid dynamics shifted too – India overtook the US as Nepal’s largest donor in 2024-25. Still, the MCC grant endures amid debates over national independence. Washington clarifies its $550 million package targets vital infrastructure like electricity grids and highways, aiding the India-Nepal Butwal-Gorakhpur power link.
Khanal-Gor talks advanced MCC implementation, trade facilitation, and investment promotion, according to official readouts. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry echoed commitments to commerce growth.
Gor’s itinerary includes business community outreach. A potential PM Shah meeting hangs in balance due to protocol rigidities. As Nepal navigates post-election stability, Gor’s push for economic synergy could reshape Indo-Pacific partnerships.
