Kathmandu, April 21
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle held talks on Tuesday with S. Paul Kapur, focusing on economic cooperation and investment.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the meeting, held at the ministry, centred on strengthening economic collaboration. Representatives from the US Embassy in Nepal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal were also present.
Kapur, who is on a three-day visit to Nepal, also paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on the same day.
During the meetings, discussions were held on enhancing trade and investment in Nepal. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks at Singha Durbar also focused on further strengthening Nepal–US bilateral relations.
Kapur is the first high-level diplomat to visit Nepal since the formation of the government led by Balen Shah. His visit is being viewed as part of efforts to expand ties with the new government and the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party.
On Monday, Kapur also met with Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane, discussing areas of cooperation between Nepal and the United States.
“I am pleased to meet in Kathmandu. It was an opportunity to understand the priorities of the Rastriya Swatantra Party in the new government and discuss areas of US–Nepal cooperation,” Kapur said following the meeting.
He also held discussions with American business leaders on expanding US business opportunities in Nepal’s ICT sector. The talks focused on strengthening digital infrastructure, increasing the use of AI, enhancing cybersecurity, and facilitating the exchange of US technological expertise, according to the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
In October last year, US President Donald Trump appointed Kapur as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. He succeeded Donald Lu in the role.
