Alice G. Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia of the US, in an interview with BBC Nepali Service in London, said that Nepal has become an example nation in terms of its efforts towards democratic process and the US was willing to work with the new government.
As the recently concluded federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections in Nepal have mandated the left alliance of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) to form the new government, Wells said that the US does not view the outcome of elections as anti-America. “We look forward to work with the legitimate government of Nepal,” she said.
“Nepal is viewed as a leader nation that is committed towards its democratic institutions. We praise Nepal’s success in concluding elections in trustworthy and transparent manner. We will work with the new government keeping in consideration the mutual values our people share,” Wells said.
This is the first time a senior US diplomat has publicly stated that US was keen to work with the new government of left alliance in the offing.
Wells also said that the US has been a longstanding partner to Nepal’s development and is consistently supporting development projects in Nepal. Millennium Challenge Corporation compact of the US has provided a grant of $500 million (approximately Rs51.5 billion) to accelerate economic growth of the country, Wells said.
Likewise, she also stressed on the need to further increase the military coordination among the two countries. She said that the US has put the assistance and coordination between the US and Nepal army in its priority.
