KATHMANDU, JULY 14
US Ambassador nominee to Nepal, Dean R Thompson said that facilitating Nepal's economic growth and strengthening trade ties are his key priorities during his time in Nepal, in his opening statement before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Thompson, who has been with the US Foreign Service for 26 years, has worked as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau, as a U.S. diplomat in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India, and a leader in the Department's crisis management apparatus.
US President Joe Biden had nominated Thompson as the next US Ambassador to Nepal in March. This will be his first stint in the ambassadorial post if confirmed.
"We are at an important juncture in our relationship with Nepal. Nepal has been referred to as a "yam between two stones," those stones being China and India. While those countries do have important relationships with Nepal, we also share Nepal's interest in strengthening its sovereignty and its partnership with the United States, Thomas said in his opening statement to the committee.
"The United States' relationship with Nepal has seen recent gains that cement our 75-year partnership. In February Nepal's parliament ratified the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in the face of a torrid PRC disinformation campaign... USAID just signed a $659 million agreement with Nepal to contribute to Nepal's development over the next five years. This is a new chapter in the United States Government's long-standing development relationship with Nepal and reflects the evolution of our partnership"
He also said that if confirmed, he will also push for the rights of all Nepali citizens and residents including the Dalits, marginalized communities, and refugee communities, including Tibetan refugees.
Nepal is a committed bilateral partner, and a committed partner on the world stage, Thompson said in the statement.
"I will also work to help Nepal strengthen its democratic institutions. Nepal has come a long way since its civil war only sixteen years ago. Like other democracies, Nepal's politics can be contentious and messy at times, but supporting Nepal's democracy is in our interest and will remain a priority of mine if confirmed as Ambassador."
