Prem Sagar Poudel
Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud has returned to Nepal from his visit to America. During his visit to the US, he had a special conversation with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. US Secretary of State Blinken declared that Nepal is an important ally of the Indo-Pacific region, keeping witnessing Saud.
Nepal has not visibly participated in the Indo-Pacific strategy. However, the Americans believe that Nepal has been a partner in the Indo-Pacific strategy for a long time. Due to the fact that Nepal has participated in many programs of the Indo-Pacific strategy, America does not have an independent view of Nepal. This visit of Foreign Minister Saud has put dark glasses on the eyes of the US looking at Nepal.
During the bilateral meeting, US Secretary of State Blinken thanked Nepal for taking the MCC forward. In response, Foreign Minister Saud said he hoped for more support from the US to develop Nepal. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Blinken replied that the US wanted Nepal’s support in IPS and SPP. Foreign Minister Saud said he promised to decide after discussing this matter with the parties of Nepal.
After the meeting, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the strengthening of the Nepal-US partnership was emphasized in the meeting between the two leaders. A statement issued by Miller said, “The two ministers discussed the recently implemented MCC, as well as building infrastructure through MCC, increasing access to electricity and supporting cross-border electricity trade.”
The US also praises the partnership of more than 60 years of service by US Peace Corps volunteers in Nepal. The United States is going to give a loan of 125 million US dollars to the Nepali Bank to provide loans for the investment of the Expanded Development Finance Corporation in Nepal and loans to small and medium businesses. Another project of MCC was also discussed between them. America has asked Minister Saud to move forward with the process of connecting electricity not only with India but also with China. America has prepared to increase another project of MCC in the construction of the Ratmate water tank transmission line to be connected to the powerhouse to be built with the investment of MCC in Ratmate.
The US plans to connect the Nuwakot Kerung transmission line to Ratmate and connect the transmission from the water tank to Bangladesh. By doing this, Nepal, India, China, and Bangladesh will be connected to MCC’s transmission line. During the visit, with Minister Saud, it seems that the US is not only looking for Nepal’s help but also Nepal’s strong support. US Secretary of State Blinken clearly said to Nepal’s Foreign Minister Saud, “Now we need not only Nepal’s help, but we also need Nepal’s land to fulfill the purpose of IPS. For this, we started a clear discussion about what we need to support Nepal.”
In response, Minister Saud said, even in 1960, the US used the land of Nepal. He said that there is no reason why it should not be used even now. After returning to Nepal, in a discussion that Saud had with some of the people close to him, he said, “This subject is sensitive. But this should be done. I need help in finding information about how America used Nepal’s land during the Khampa Rebellion.” Minister Saud questioned what would happen if America used some areas in the north based on a good development package.
America is currently expanding its influence not only in the northern region of Nepal but also in the Terai region. In the absence of India’s support in IPS, the United States is expanding its influence in the Nepalese region bordering India to show that Nepal is a dynamic alternative. If India does not cooperate, they are thinking of preparing Nepal as an alternative. The United States also discussed what kind of assistance Nepal needs for that.
The US also discussed the subject of Tibet and Taiwan with Minister Saud. The agreement on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China, what is the one-China principle? They asked Saud that. During the meeting, US Secretary of State Blinken said that he curiosity what would be Nepal’s opinion on the issue of Taiwan when it was with the United States, with that agreement.
Foreign Minister Saud asked not to look at this deal from a different perspective, as it was only a matter of face-saving. He said, “As long as we are in the government, there is no place for you to doubt. Communicate with UML yourself.”
