US Under Secretary Rogers arrives in Kathmandu

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers arrived in Kathmandu Saturday night, marking the latest in a series of high-level American diplomatic visits to Nepal. Rogers's trip follows visits by Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur and special envoy Sergio Gor, underscoring Washington's sustained engagement with the new Nepali administration led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Rogers's tour, which also includes Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, aims to bolster U.S. ties in South and Central Asia. Her visit to Kathmandu is particularly notable as she is the most senior U.S. diplomat to visit Nepal since the current government took office on March 27. This engagement highlights a strategic interest from the U.S. in Nepal's evolving political landscape.

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One is America's traditional interest in Nepal, and the other is the outcome of the latest election here, which has introduced new dynamics that have profoundly transformed Nepali politics and captured the imagination of political thinkers and actors worldwide.

Discussions during the recent visits have centered on enhancing bilateral relations, promoting U.S. investment in Nepal, and fostering cooperation in technology and ICT. Key topics also included the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Nepal Compact, the operation of Starlink, and the issuance of identity cards to Tibetan refugees. These conversations signal a broad agenda aimed at deepening economic and strategic partnerships.

However, the visits have not been without controversy. Sergio Gor's trip sparked debate after he launched drones at Everest Base Camp. Furthermore, Prime Minister Shah did not meet with either Kapur or Gor, a detail noted by observers. Former ambassador Shambhu Ram Simkhada suggested that America's heightened interest stems from both traditional ties and the "new dynamics" introduced by the recent election, particularly the prime minister's unconventional style.

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Naturally, America, as a global superpower and one of Nepal's oldest friends and development partners, must be watching the conduct of the new Nepali statecraft, the profile of its main actors and, most strikingly, the highly unconventional style of the prime minister with heightened curiosity and interest.