Kathmandu, March 18

US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo today sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for completing the first year in office.

“Congratulations on the completion of your first year in office, a particularly auspicious anniversary after the 2017 elections that constituted a milestone in Nepal’s democratic journey”, the letter read.

The US Secretary of State said when he had met Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali recently, he reaffirmed US commitment to bilateral relations and conveyed America’s wish to forge a genuine partnership. My meeting with Foreign Minister Gyawali, Pompeo stated, consolidated some important commitments, including the paramount importance of ensuring the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact based on the agreed-upon principles.

“I also appreciated Foreign Minister Gyawali’s assurance that the Government of Nepal would uphold its international obligations, including the binding agreements that govern our bilateral assistance and the UN Security Council sanctions compelling North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme,” the US Secretary of State stated in his message.

Pompeo said he welcomed Foreign Minister Gyawali’s reassurance that Nepal would continue to protect the rights of Tibetans in Nepal as per the principle of non-refoulement.

“As Nepal strives to sow the seeds of peace and political stability, I believe it will become increasingly apparent that the US emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific region to ensure prosperity, sovereignty, and security of every country, has very much shifted to Nepal’s end,” Pompeo stated in the letter.

Stating that both the American and Nepali people had high expectations for bilateral relationship, the American Secretary of State said, “As we look to elevate US-Nepal ties, let us move forward in a spirit of genuine partnership, not only in the tone of our public comments but also in the progress we make through concrete action on our commitments.”