Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
Sameer Paul Kapur FAS
KATHMANDU: Sameer Paul Kapur, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, arrived in Kathmandu early Monday morning, marking a significant diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Nepal’s newly formed government.
According to sources, Kapur landed at Tribhuvan International Airport at approximately 6:15 AM local time. His visit comes at a time when geopolitical engagement in South Asia is intensifying, with Nepal increasingly positioned as a strategic partner in regional stability, economic cooperation, and development diplomacy.
Kapur, an Indian-origin American diplomat with a background in South Asian security affairs, is visiting Nepal with the objective of expanding relations with the administration led by Balen Shah. This marks the first high-level engagement from Washington following the formation of the new government, signaling renewed US interest in Nepal’s political and economic trajectory.
During his three-day stay, Kapur is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with senior government officials, including key ministers overseeing foreign affairs, finance, and infrastructure. Diplomatic sources indicate that discussions will likely cover a broad spectrum of issues including economic cooperation, investment climate reforms, energy collaboration, digital infrastructure, and regional security dynamics.
Kapur’s appointment as Assistant Secretary was made in October last year by former US President Donald Trump, replacing Donald Lu, who previously handled South and Central Asia affairs at the State Department. His policy orientation is considered more security-centric, with emphasis on strategic alignment and regional stability.
This visit is also being closely watched in the context of Nepal’s evolving foreign policy balancing between major global powers, including the United States, China, and India. Analysts suggest that Washington is keen to reinforce its engagement in Nepal through diplomatic, economic, and institutional partnerships, particularly as competition in South Asia intensifies.
Kapur is expected to return to the United States on Wednesday after concluding his official engagements in Kathmandu. His visit represents the highest-level foreign diplomatic presence in Nepal since the formation of the current government, underlining the importance of Nepal in US South Asia policy calculations.
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