US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken has said that Nepal is an important partner of the US in the Indo-Pacific.
He said this while welcoming Foreign Minister NP Saud before the bilateral talks at the US Department of Secretary of State in Washington on Monday.
"Nepal and US have 76 years of diplomatic relations and Nepal is today a very valued partner in the Indo-Pacific" said Blinken.
During the meeting, US Secretary of State Blinken extended condolences to the 10 Nepali students who were murdered by Hamas in Israel.
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“I have to start, though, on a very difficult note, which is to share again our condolences for the 10 Nepali students who were murdered by Hamas in Israel," said Blinken.
He further said the two countries are working to deepen thieir bilateral ties and strengthen it even more, particularly with more people-to-people ties, and as well, economic ties, investment.
Appreciating Nepal's contribution in peacekeeping jobs, Blinken said, "Nepal is leading, not just in the region but globally, as a very constructive actor in international organizations – of course, with so many peacekeepers who are trying to help people move from conflict to peace around the world."
In response, Foreign Minister Saud expressed his gratitude to Secretary of State Antony Blinken for providing such a precious time in this complicated situation especially in Middle East and other preoccupied schedule.
He further said Nepal and the United States have very long and close relations. “The United States is a development partner of Nepal. The United States is helping us in too many sectors, especially in the sector of health, education – and now in the Middle East also – we are victim of terrorism," said Minister Saud.
Saud also thanked Mr. Secretary for extending condolences to the 10 Nepali students who lost their lives in the ongoing Hamas-Israel war.
