Kathmandu, 21 April (H.S.):

US Assistant Secretary of State Samir Paul Kapoor, arriving on a diplomatic mission, held his first meeting with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Ravi Lamichhane, leader of Nepal's ruling coalition.

The US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs confirmed the discussions covered RSP's governmental priorities and potential areas for enhanced Nepal-US cooperation. Kapoor stated: Great to meet RSP Chair Ravi Lamichhane in Kathmandu to understand RSP's priorities in the new government and discuss US-Nepal cooperation areas.

Upon Monday morning arrival, Kapoor received a briefing from the US Embassy's chargé d'affaires before proceeding directly to Lamichhane's residence—signaling the strategic importance of engaging Nepal's dominant political force post its recent electoral triumph.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar