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US Diplomat Paul Kapur Meets Nepal Leaders, Discusses Tech & Cooperation

US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur has begun a key visit to Nepal, marking the first high-level US engagement since the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. He met with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane to discuss the party's priorities and bilateral cooperation. Kapur also held talks with Nepal's ICT business leaders on expanding US opportunities, digital infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity. The visit underscores US interest in Nepal's technological development, amid concerns over the potential adoption of Chinese 5G technology.

Key Points: US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur Visits Nepal, Meets PM Shah

  • First senior US visit since new Nepal govt
  • Talks on US-Nepal cooperation & ICT sector
  • Discussions on digital infrastructure & AI
  • US interest amid Chinese tech presence
2 min read

US Assistant Secretary of State meets Nepal leaders

Senior US official Paul Kapur meets Nepal's PM Balendra Shah, RSP chief Rabi Lamichhane & ICT leaders to discuss cooperation, digital infrastructure & 5G.

"Great to meet RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane here in Kathmandu to learn about RSP's priorities - Paul Kapur, US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs"

Kathmandu, April 20

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Paul Kapur, who arrived in Kathmandu on Monday, has begun meetings with Nepal's political and business leaders.

It is the first visit by a senior US official since a new government was formed in Nepal under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27, following the March 5 elections.

On Monday, Kapur met Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), on the first day of his visit to Nepal. "Great to meet RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane here in Kathmandu to learn about RSP's priorities in the new government and discuss areas for US-Nepal cooperation," the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs wrote on X, quoting Kapur.

The ruling RSP is the largest political party in Nepal, with nearly a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. The party's senior leader, Shah, is currently leading the government. The RSP has remained tight-lipped on what Lamichhane discussed with the US Assistant Secretary of State.

The US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs also stated that Kapur met several business leaders from Nepal's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. "Important discussions with industry leaders about expanding US business opportunities in Nepal's ICT sector. We also discussed ways to bolster digital infrastructure, AI adoption, cybersecurity, and sharing US technological expertise," the bureau quoted Kapur as saying.

The United States has been showing greater interest in Nepal's digital infrastructure and has expressed concerns over the potential adoption of Chinese 5G technology.

Chinese company Huawei has supplied most of the 4G equipment to Nepal's telecom infrastructure, and the country has yet to adopt 5G technology. The US is also the largest market for Nepal's ICT services.

According to the US Embassy in Nepal, Kapur is engaging with senior government officials, business leaders, and cultural experts to further strengthen the US-Nepal partnership.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The focus on ICT is smart. Nepal has a lot of young talent. If the US invests in digital infrastructure and training, it could create great opportunities and reduce dependency on a single neighbor. Hope it leads to real skill development and jobs, not just geopolitical maneuvering.
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Aman W
Interesting timing. The new government is barely a month old and the US is already there. While cooperation is good, Nepal must prioritize its own national interest. They should get the best tech, whether it's from the US, Europe, or elsewhere, without getting caught in a power struggle. 🇳🇵
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Sarah B
The article mentions the US is the largest market for Nepal's ICT services. This economic link is significant. Strengthening digital infrastructure with US expertise could really boost Nepal's service exports. A win-win if done transparently.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, I have to offer a criticism of the reporting. The article focuses heavily on the US perspective and the "concerns over Chinese tech." It would be better to have more direct quotes from Nepali leaders about what *they* want from this partnership. The "tight-lipped" line is telling.
K
Karthik V
Nepal is in a delicate position between two giants. As a close friend and neighbor, India should facilitate a balanced approach. We have our own digital success stories (UPI, Aadhaar) that could be shared. The goal should be Nepal's development and stability, not choosing sides.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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