KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, who is currently on a visit to the US, held talks with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Washington DC.

According to the Nepali Embassy in the US, the discussions during the meeting encompassed various crucial aspects, including bilateral relations, and regional and international issues.

During the meeting, Minister Saud highlighted key areas of interest such as trade and investment, agriculture, food security, and the advancement of technology for Nepal’s overall development.

He also sought support from his counterpart, Secretary Blinken, to bolster Nepal’s business growth.

Expressing gratitude for the US government’s support towards Nepal’s economic and social advancement, Minister Saud appealed for continued assistance in these domains.

A joint commitment towards the successful implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project was underscored in the meeting.

Secretary Blinken acknowledged Nepal’s significant role in reinforcing democratic governance and expressed his desire to witness a prosperous democratic Nepal.

He reassured the continuous readiness of the United States to contribute to Nepal’s holistic development.

In a gesture of goodwill, Minister Saud extended a formal invitation to Secretary Blinken to visit Nepal in the future.

This visit marks a significant event as it is the first official visit by a Nepali Foreign Minister to the United States since 2018.

Minister Saud is currently in the United States following an invitation from his American counterpart, Blinken.

It should be noted that the last official visit by the then Foreign Minister, Pradeep Gyawali, was in December 2018, where he met with his counterpart, Mike Pompeo.