Kathmandu, May 15 Visiting Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia at the US Department of State David J Ranz paid a courtesy call on Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar today. According to the MoHA, the meeting dwelt on Nepal-US relations, mutual cooperation and collaboration. On the occasion,Minister Thapa extended thanks to the US for its support to Nepal for development activities, disaster management, training and construction of physical infrastructure of security agencies and hoped that the US assistance would continue in the future. Minister Thapa said that a recent visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali to the US and the understanding reached between the two countries had helped to usher the Nepal-US relations to a newer height. Stating that Nepal had entered into a new phase of economic development with political stability Thapa said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact programme being implemented in Nepal by the US would be a key to its economic development. Ranz highlighted the Nepal-US relations and stressed the need to further strengthen it. He said that the US government was committed to continuing its support to Nepal in sectors like infrastructure, education, health, disaster management and prevention and control of trafficking in persons, read a press release by MoHA. Ranz discussed issues, including visa for Peace Corps volunteers and an upgradation of Nepali immigration system. US Ambassador for Nepal Randy Berry was present at the meeting. READ ALSO:

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