Government decides to withdraw from SPP

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to inform the United States that it would withdraw from the US’ State Partnership Program (SPP).

A cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to inform the United States, through Nepali Army, that Nepal no longer wanted to be part of SPP, said Minister of Youth and Sports Maheshwar Jung Gahatraj.

The Nepali Army had written twice to the US Embassy, in Nepal in 2015 and 2017, requesting for participation in the SPP. The US Embassy in Kathmandu earlier said that the Nepali Army’s request was accepted in 2019.

The cabinet decision comes amid widespread protest against SPP, saying the program is part of US military strategy.

Following the decision, the formal process for withdrawing the SPP will now begin.

Earlier, both the ruling party and the opposition had been saying that the SPP could not be implemented.

The International Relations Committee of the Parliament had also directed the government to withdraw the agreement.

Similarly, the cabinet has suspended Executive Chairman of Nepali Airlines Corporation Yuvaraj Adhikari.