​KATHMANDU, MARCH 2

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a telephonic conversation with with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday evening to discuss Russia's attack on Ukraine, among other issues.

The importance of respecting the UN Charter's principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states were also discussed during the conversation.

Prime Minister Deuba shared that they also discussed alleviation of poverty in Nepal and climate change.

Spoke with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken and discussed Nepal's poverty alleviation, development & issue of climate change. We appreciate 75 years of continued US support for our progress. We also discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine & our support for Ukraine's sovereignty.

Likewise, Blinken emphasised on the strong diplomatic ties between Nepal and the US and highlighted that this year marks 75 years of the United States and Nepal's diplomatic relations.

Good call today with Nepal's Prime Minister @SherBDeuba to discuss Russia's unprovoked attack and our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to work closely together on economic development and regional challenges.

Nepal had recently ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact through the Federal Parliament which was also talked about by the two leaders.

'Nepal's decision to move forward with the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) would allow the electricity transmission and roads project to create jobs, infrastructure, and improve the lives of the Nepali people', US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price had later said.

Blinken agreed to strengthen efforts to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and work toward addressing the climate crisis, Price said.