Kathmandu, Nov. 1
Minister
for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, participated in a talk programme hosted by the
United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
During
the programme, titled ‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy Outlook,’ Minister Saud spoke
about Nepal’s foreign policy orientation, emphasising its commitment to an
independent foreign policy based on the Charter of the United Nations,
non-alignment, and principles of Panchasheel.
According
to the Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC, Minister Saud stated, "Our
conduct of external relations is based on a balanced and independent outlook,
which is rooted in the historical fact that we were among the few countries
that always remained independent, free from any sort of colonial rule."
The
FM further highlighted Nepal’s
political transformation of historic proportions stating, “We ended armed
conflict in the country by establishing a home-grown peace process tailored to
our requirements.”
USIP’s
Asia Centre Vice President Andrew Wilder received Minister Saud while Tamanna
Salikuddin chaired the talk programme.
In
the afternoon, FM Saud held a meeting with USAID Administrator Samantha Power
where the two discussed ongoing USAID projects in Nepal and explored future
opportunities for development cooperation, particularly with a focus on
infrastructure development, possibility of developing a fertiliser plant and
food security.
Likewise,
the Minister also held a meeting with U.S. International Development Finance
Corporation (DFC)’s CEO Scott Nathan where he highlighted the measures taken by
the Government of Nepal to enhance private investment in various sectors of
economy and urged DFC to encourage the American private sector to invest more
in Nepal, read the statement issued by the Embassy.
Nathan
said that DFC wants more projects in Nepal, including in infrastructure
development, energy, and agro-business, apart from its current involvement with
SMEs. He noted that DFC is not only involved in financing, but also helps to
create the eco-system for private sector development.
During
these meetings, the Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Sridhar Khatri and
other senior officials from the Ministry and the Embassy.
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