US govt reaffirms its continued support to Nepal

 By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 19: Ricky Gill, National Security Assistant to President Donald Trump of the USA and Senior Director for South and Central Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, has reaffirmed the US government's commitment to continuing economic assistance to Nepal. 

In a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, at the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, on Tuesday, he assured the continued economic support to Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement. 

During the meeting, various aspects of Nepal-US relations were discussed. 

FM Dr. Rana has urged the US government to take necessary steps for the release of Nepali student Bipin, who is under the control of Hamas. She recalled that she had previously requested US intervention in the matter and reiterated Nepal’s expectation of US assistance for Bipin’s safe release.

Bipin, a Nepali student studying in Israel, was abducted by Hamas militants from Israeli territory in October 2023. The Government of Nepal has been making continuous diplomatic efforts for his release while FM Dr. Rana has been appealing to world leaders and her counterparts for support in securing Bipin’s freedom.

Meanwhile, FM Dr. Rana also met her Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar at the sidelines of the conference. They discussed Nepal-India bilateral relations, mutual interests, trade, transit, and hydropower development. 

According to the MoFA, Dr. Rana reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to strengthening ties and continuing collaboration for shared benefits.

Earlier on Tuesday,  Rana  held separate bilateral meetings with her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, and Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popsoi. 

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the meetings took place on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue.

The meeting between Dr. Rana and Sybiha discussed Nepal-Ukraine relations and issues of mutual interest. A key topic of the talks was the release of seven Nepali nationals held by Ukrainian forces as prisoners of war, read the statement.

FM Dr. Rana urged the Ukrainian government to release the Nepali citizens, who were reportedly recruited into the Russian military through human traffickers. She clarified that Nepal has no policy allowing its citizens to join the Russian army, and that the government learned about their recruitment only later. 

"She further stated that these individuals were forcibly taken from remote areas of Nepal and enlisted into the Russian military against their will," according to the MoFA. 

In response, Foreign Minister Sybiha assured that Ukraine would follow legal procedures for their release.

FM Dr. Rana also sought Ukraine’s support for Nepal’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2027-2029). 

The two sides also signed an agreement to grant visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries.

Similarly, in a separate meeting, she held talks with Moldova’s DPM and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popsoi. The discussions covered bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Nepal and Moldova.

Minister Dr. Rana highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Nepal and explored ways for the two countries to collaborate on addressing the issue. 

The MoFA statement stated that she also informed Minister Popsoi about Nepal’s upcoming graduation from the list of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026, emphasising the preparations required and the international support needed for a smooth transition.

Dr. Rana also briefed Popsoi on Nepal’s candidacy for the UN Security Council and other international bodies, requesting Moldova’s backing.

The two ministers also discussed Minister Popsoi’s upcoming visit to Nepal this week, expressing confidence that it would help further strengthen Nepal-Moldova relation.