KATHMANDU – The government has informed the parliament that the United States has been formally informed that it will not participate in the State Partnership Program (SPP).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka on Friday informed that the government has sent a letter to the US through diplomatic channels on July 25.

Foreign Minister Khadka said, “I would like to inform the Parliament that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent in written to the US government on July 25 through diplomatic channels.”

The government took a formal decision to reject the SPP on June 20.

Khadka claimed that the delay in sending the letter to the US was due to internal discussions among Nepal’s political parties.

While informing the Parliament, he said, “It took some time because the government was engaged in an internal consultation on the issue, particularly on the matter of correspondence.”

Minister Khadka reiterated the government’s position saying that Nepal will not participate in any kind of military alliance.