US Assistant Secretary of State Kapoor Arrives in Nepal for Key Visit

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur has arrived in Nepal. This is the first high-level U.S. visit after the formation of the new government led by Balen Shah.
He is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on Monday. Similarly, high-level meetings with President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Balen Shah, and others have not yet been finalized. Kapur, who is close to former U.S. President Donald Trump, oversees South and Central Asian affairs. President Trump had appointed Kapur in Falgun 2081 (February 2025) after removing then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu. After his appointment, there was much discussion about his Indian heritage. He was born in India. His father is Indian, and his mother is American. According to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kapur has come to congratulate the new government and to understand Kathmandu’s priorities. Additionally, he will convey Washington’s message regarding how it wishes to collaborate with Nepal. Along with Kapur, two other officials from the U.S. Department of State are also accompanying him.