The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma met with senior Nepali officials in Kathmandu on August 16 to advance shared priorities in economic development, women’s empowerment, energy, and people-to-people ties. In his meetings with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, Deputy Secretary Verma emphasized the United States’ commitment to strengthening Nepal’s disaster response and air capabilities. Deputy Secretary Verma shared the United States’ intention to provide $100 million in Foreign Military Finance to support Nepal’s rotary wing capabilities, pending Congressional review and availability of funds. The officials also discussed continued cooperation to support sustainable economic development in Nepal, including through the Millenium Challenge Compact to increase access to clean energy and a USAID-funded Nepal Tea Collective trade promotion activity. In addition to his government meetings, the Deputy Secretary met with women entrepreneurs to discuss their work and U.S. support for women’s economic empowerment.
