Nepal's commitment to democracy an 'example' to world, says US

Nepalese army men patrol near polling stations a day prior to general elections in Bhaktapur on Saturday. Pic/AP

The United States on Tuesday congratulated Nepal's newly-appointed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" and said it will continue to stand with his government to promote issues of bilateral, regional and global importance.

The US embassy in a statement said that Nepal's commitment to democracy is an "example to countries around the world" and America looks forward to supporting the Himalayan nation as it continues to deepen its "democratic traditions.'

"We are proud to have had robust and longstanding ties with Nepal and will continue to stand with the government of Nepal to promote issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, such as achieving sustainable economic growth and strengthening democracy and human rights," it said.

Prachanda, who is known to be close to China, was sworn in for the third time as the Prime Minister of Nepal on Monday. The 68-year-old former guerilla leader was appointed as Nepal's new premier after he surprisingly walked away from the five-party ruling alliance led by outgoing Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's Nepali Congress and staked a claim for the premier's post before the deadline set by the president expired on Sunday.

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Nepal and the US marked 75 years of their diplomatic relations this year.

Nepalese Parliament in February approved a contentious USD 500 million US government aid programme -- Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), despite domestic political divisions and objections from China.

China, which is in a tussle with the US for influence in the Himalayan nation, in a sharp reaction had said that Washington should not undermine the sovereignty of other countries through "coercive diplomacy".

China is stepping up its forays into Nepal through various infrastructure ventures, including the trans-Himalayan connectivity projects, under Beijing's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

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