Kathmandu, December 3
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, is set to visit Nepal as part of his regional tour, which includes India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to December 10.
According to the US State Department, during his visit to Nepal, Lu will meet senior political leaders and emerging young leaders. The discussions will focus on topics such as environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, cultural preservation, and enhancing US support for Nepal’s development.
The US believes Lu’s visit will strengthen ties with South Asian partners and contribute to regional prosperity.
Lu, a prominent figure in the US State Department, has visited Nepal three times previously. His most recent visit was on July last year. Earlier, he visited Nepal during critical discussions surrounding the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact and the State Partnership Program (SPP).
In one notable instance, Lu engaged in phone discussions with then-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, and Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal amidst intense debates over the MCC compact. Shortly afterward, Nepal’s parliament approved the MCC compact with an interpretative declaration on February 27, 2022.
Who is Donald Lu?
Donald Lu has served in the US State Department for over 30 years and has been the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs since September 15, 2021.
Previously, he served as the US Ambassador to Albania (2015–2018) and Kyrgyzstan (2018–2021). Lu has also worked in India, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan and held key roles, including Deputy Director of the Office of Central Asian and South Caucasus Affairs and positions in the Bureau of European Affairs.
During the West African Ebola outbreak, he served as Deputy Coordinator of the State Department’s response task force. His extensive diplomatic experience makes him a vital figure in fostering US relations with South and Central Asia.
