Richard Verma. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma on Friday (August 16, 2024) met Nepal Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and discussed various aspects of the bilateral ties, including development cooperation and mutual interests.

Mr. Verma, an Indian-American diplomat, is the senior-most official from the Joe Biden administration to visit Nepal since a change of government, in Nepal, and Mr. Oli assumed charge as the Prime Minister last month.

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Mr. Verma, who is on a one-day visit to Nepal, met Mr. Oli at Singha Durbar where discussions were held on bilateral relations and mutual interests.

“The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided by the U.S. government in Nepal’s economic and social development since the 1950s and hoped for continued support in various areas in the days ahead,” The Kathmandu Post newspaper quoted an official from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat as saying.

Mr. Oli informed Mr. Verma that Nepal is in the process of graduating from a least developed country (LDC) by 2026 and that the laws on transitional justice are being formulated based on political consensus.

“Mr. Verma recalled the over the two-decade-long relationship between the two countries, noting that it is a matter of pride for the United States to be a partner in Nepal’s development,” the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.

“The senior U.S. official also congratulated Nepal on nearing the conclusion of its transitional justice process,” the report said. Mr. Verma, who is also scheduled to meet President Ram Chandra Paudel, earlier met Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba.

“Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources of the United States Richard R. Verma paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba today. Various aspects of Nepal-U.S. relations, including development cooperation, were discussed in the meeting,” Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said.

“He is leading U.S. delegations to Nepal and India to “advance and support a prosperous, secure, and resilient future for both countries,” a U.S. State Department statement had said ahead of his visit.

Soon after landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Mr. Verma posted on X: “Kicking off this trip in Nepal with an amazing glimpse of the majestic Himalayas! Looking forward to engaging with Government of Nepal officials and others to strengthen U.S. and Nepal partnership in support of a more democratic, prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Nepal,” he added in the post.

“Apart from Rana Deuba, the delegation will meet with senior government officials, development professionals, and business leaders to discuss shared priorities in economic development, women’s empowerment, energy, and people-to-people ties,” the State Department statement said.

Earlier, Dean R. Thompson, the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, welcomed him at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu and then accompanied him in the formal meetings with “Nepal government officials, implementing partners, trailblazing women entrepreneurs, and our Embassy team. His (Verma’s) visit highlights our commitment to strong U.S.-Nepal bilateral relations, with the United States firmly supporting Nepal’s people, democracy, and economic prosperity,” Mr.. Thompson said in a post on X.

Mr. Verma also met the Embassy team and appreciated their work in what he described as “to advance U.S.-Nepal relations.” He also met the U.S. Marine Security Guard Detachment “to thank them for their dedicated service,” he said in yet another post. Mr. Verma will head to India for a visit from August 17 to 22.

Washington:

The Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will lead US delegations to Nepal on August 16 and India from August 17-22 to advance and support a prosperous, secure, and resilient future for both countries, the US Department of State said.

In Delhi, Deputy Secretary Mr Verma will meet New Delhi, India to meet with senior government officials, climate leaders, and aerospace academics and industry representatives.

In order to boost the US-India partnership further, discussions will be held on a range of issues, including economic development, clean energy and climate action, and STEM education.

He will be joined in India by Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta and Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Energy David Turk, the official release of the Department of State read.

While in Nepal, the delegation will meet with senior government officials, development professionals, and business leaders to discuss shared priorities in economic development, women’s empowerment, energy, and people-to-people ties.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead and the work of the two countries on emerging technologies will take on even more promise, a top American diplomat said on Thursday, reiterating the remarks of President Joe Biden that this is the defining partnership of the 21st century.

“As both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have said, our impact on each other is important, but what we can do for the world is even more important. Whether it’s addressing food insecurity or battling the next pandemic or connecting millions to the digital economy, there is so much we can do together,” Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, wrote in a blog post in his recent return from India.

Verma is the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the State Department. He was also the first ever Indian-American to serve as the US Ambassador to India.

“So, where are we headed?” Verma wrote as he described in detail the significant growth in the India-US relationship over the last few decades.

He identified defence, democracy and technology as three key areas of cooperation between the two countries.

“Our security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead. The threats we face are real, but building our collective capabilities, increasing sharing of information, and improving maritime domain awareness and interoperability will ensure India continues to be a provider of net security across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” Verma wrote.

“Our work on protecting, preserving, and strengthening democracy will continue to be even more important, with the rise of authoritarian leaders and movements. This includes continuing to strengthen a global rules-based order architecture, ensuring we bridge the divide on income inequality, and battling mis and disinformation. Democracy must continue to deliver for our peoples,” he said.

“Our work on emerging technologies will take on even more promise. New and emerging technologies offer tremendous opportunities for economic growth and development. At the same time, recent disruptive cyber attacks, carried out by criminals and nation states, demonstrate the risk that cyber vulnerabilities can pose to global peace and security,” said the top American diplomat.

“We must work together to tackle data privacy issues, such as identity theft, by exchanging knowledge on data protection issues. Through the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, the US is working closely with India to build and maintain internet infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity protections. From semiconductors to critical minerals to space exploration and innovation in clean energy, battling climate change, and so much more, this is about economic and physical security,” Verma wrote.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)