Gor seeks deeper trade ties with Nepal

KATHMANDU: Sergio Gor, the United States Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India, has emphasized expanding trade and investment cooperation with Nepal through stronger private-sector partnerships to strengthen bilateral relations.

Gor, who arrived in Nepal on Thursday, held a courtesy meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar on Friday.

According to the ministry, the two held detailed discussions on further strengthening Nepal–US relations. Both sides stressed the need to expand trade and investment ties, deepen private sector collaboration, and build long-term economic engagement, it added.

Similarly, the US Embassy in Kathmandu said the two held constructive and productive discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation across several promising domains, with particular emphasis on expanding trade and advancing initiatives under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The US side highlighted the potential for American investment in Nepal in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, information technology, tourism, and agriculture, and expressed willingness to enhance cooperation in these areas.

Ministry sources say Nepal briefed the US delegation on its ongoing economic reforms, efforts to create an investment-friendly environment, and plans to expand regional connectivity. The US side, in turn, signaled that it wants to move beyond a relationship centered mainly on development assistance and toward one focused on trade and investment.

The meeting also underscored the need to build on the traditional pillars of Nepal–US relations—education, development cooperation, and strengthening democratic institutions, while placing greater emphasis on economic diplomacy. Both sides reiterated that regular high-level dialogue, better coordination among government agencies, and active private-sector participation would help elevate ties to a new level.

Nepal and the United States have long maintained friendly relations. The US has been supporting Nepal in the infrastructure, energy, and human development sectors. However, the current focus appears to be on making the relationship more practical and results-oriented.

Gor has been actively engaging with heads of state and government across South Asia since he arrived in New Delhi. Although based in India, he carries a broader regional mandate under President Donald Trump. He has also expressed an interest in meeting Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

The US side had earlier pushed for meeting Prime Minister Shah during the visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapoor. However, those efforts did not materialize.

Gor also met Minister for Finance Dr Swarnim Wagle on Friday. He is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Saturday evening.