US Ambassador to Nepal Dean Thomspon paid a courtesy call on Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khad at the latter's office on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation between Nepal and the United States, according to a press release issued by the home minister's secretariat.
Home Minister Khand, while welcoming the US ambassador, expressed gratitude for the ongoing US support to Nepal's socio-economic development and democracy. "I hope the US side will continue its support to Nepal in the days ahead," the home minister's secretariat quoted Khand as saying.
On the occasion, Home Minister Khand also briefed the US ambassador regarding preparations that are being made to hold federal and provincial assembly polls on November 20. "The government will leave no stone unturned to hold elections in a free and fair manner," Khand told the ambassador.
In response, US Ambassador Thompson expressed belief that Nepal's upcoming elections would contribute to further consolidate the country's democracy.
The ambassador also assured the home minister of continuing assistance for Nepal's socio-economic development, according to the home minister's secretariat.
Thompson, the new US ambassador, has intensified his political engagements in Nepal after presenting his credentials to President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday.
On Friday, Thompson held separate meetings with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka in their respective offices.
Ambassador Thompson came to Nepal last week to take up his diplomatic assignment. He replaced Randy Berry, who was serving as the US ambassador since October 2018. Berry was recently appointed the US ambassador to Namibia.
