Kathmandu. Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal and a parliamentary delegation led by Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the United States of America, Jason Smith, paid a courtesy call on him.

On the occasion, the two leaders exchanged views on Nepal-US bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, economic partnership, climate disaster management and parliamentary cooperation among others, according to Speaker Aryal’s Secretariat.

On the occasion, Speaker Aryal said the government made possible efforts for the management of the disaster caused by the Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi floods and thanked the United States of America for its solidarity and support to Nepal in this difficult time.

Speaker Aryal shared that the Emergency Agenda presented by Nepal at the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held recently in Arusha, Tanzania, was passed with more than two-thirds votes.

He stressed the need to make international and inter-parliamentary cooperation more effective to reduce the damage in areas most vulnerable to disasters due to climate change, strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.

On the occasion, Speaker Aryal stressed the need for responsible cooperation and support from countries having financial and technical capacity to deal with climate disaster and not relying only on grants.

Stating that Nepal-US relations should not be limited only to traditional grants and assistance, he said that Nepal and the US should not be limited only to traditional grant assistance but also towards increasing investment and economic partnership, he said Nepal was committed to necessary policy and legal reforms to create investment-friendly environment and boost the morale of the investors.

Speaker Aryal also expressed her confidence that the US Parliamentarian Caucus and Nepal-US Parliamentarian Friendship Group would continue collaboration and dialogue in this regard.

Stating that parliamentary visits and exchanges would play an important role in promoting friendly relations and parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries, he thanked the US delegation for their KMC visit.

On the occasion, the US parliamentary delegation expressed sympathy for the loss suffered by Nepal due to the floods in Bhotekoshi, paid tribute to those who lost their lives and expressed deep sorrow to the bereaved families. Stating that the visit to Nepal, which is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, has added new energy to them, the delegation said that the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United States are cordial and based on trust.

The delegation expressed its willingness to continue supporting the economic, social, physical and human development of Nepal and further strengthen the parliamentary diplomatic relations between the two countries. Chairpersons of the International Relations and Tourism Committee and Parliamentary Hearing Committee of the House of Representatives were also present on the occasion.