US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean Richardson Thompson, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Purna Bahadur Khadka, on Wednesday.
During the meeting held at Defense Ministry, the discussion was held on issues of bilateral interests, the Ministry said.
DPM Khadka said both Nepal and the US have been enjoying close relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He mentioned that the US government contributed to the capacity building of the Nepal Army in addition to the infrastructure development. Khadka also expressed happiness over the successful completion of the 'fourth land forces' dialogue between Nepal and the US.
Similarly, DPM Khadka said Nepal had been playing a significant role in the UN peacekeeping mission but was deprived of a leading role. He requested the US for lobbying in favor of Nepal's role in the leading position of the peacekeeping mission. The DPM also expected continuous assistance from the US government on capacity building of the Nepal Army on an international peacekeeping mission.
In response, Ambassador Thompson expressed happiness over the success of the 'fourth land forces' dialogue between Nepal and the US. As per the agreement made during the dialogue, he will take initiative for the US to provide equipment including aircraft materials, Thompson added.
Ambassador Thompson praised the role Nepal Army played in world peacekeeping via the UN mission.
Also attending the meeting were the Joint Secretary of the Defense Ministry, Baburam Adhikari, Foreign Ministry officials and the defense attaché at the US Embassy in Nepal, and other employees.
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