US Senator Hollen Talks with Foreign Minister Saud

United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is in a visit to Nepal engaged in a crucial meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister NP Saud on Friday. The meeting, held at Singha Durbar, underscored the growing importance of diplomatic ties between Nepal and the United States.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the discussions during the meeting encompassed a wide range of topics, with a focus on enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives between the two nations.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a prominent member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, is presently on an official tour of Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives. This tour highlights the strategic significance of these countries in the United States’ foreign policy objectives.

As part of his visit, Senator Hollen is scheduled to inspect several projects supported by the United States and visit culturally significant sites. The overarching goal of his journey is to strengthen the already robust ties between the United States and these nations, with a particular emphasis on enhancing security cooperation, fostering economic partnerships, addressing climate change, and advancing democracy and human rights.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the trip, Senator Hollen stated, “On this journey, I eagerly anticipate promoting closer relations between the United States and these pivotal South Asian countries within the broader Indo-Pacific region. We will engage in comprehensive discussions covering a wide range of issues, including our shared security interests, the expansion of economic opportunities, the imperative of addressing the climate crisis, and the protection of human rights.”

Prior to Senator Hollen’s visit, a five-member US Congressional delegation, led by Mark Pocan, co-chair of the US Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, had already conducted a visit to Nepal, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to strengthening its ties with the nation.