Nepal reaches out to US for help in its Covid fight

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Amid spread of the deadly Covid 19 pandemic, Nepal is looking towards the US for supply of vaccines besides other medical assistance despite receiving a large consignment of jabs from China. Not just that.</p>
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Kathmandu and Washington have also decided to accelerate economic partnerships in view of the uphill task of post-Covid recovery, the Himalayan Times reported.</p>
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According to the report, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali also held a telephone conversation today with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Both have “agreed to accelerate economic partnerships in view of the uphill task of post-Covid recovery.</p>
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“Various matters concerning Nepal-US relations, cooperation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and common international agendas were discussed during the talk,” the newspaper reported.</p>
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Many Nepalis are hoping Washington will provide doses from its stockpile of AstraZeneca vaccines, which are unlikely to be used in the US because they have yet to receive the necessary approval from the health authorities there.</p>
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Interestingly, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is currently running a minority government after he lost a vote of confidence.</p>
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However, he retained power as the opposition failed to form a government. Under Oli, Nepal’s ties with China had strengthened.</p>
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“However, the recent development is worth taking note of. This also shows that Nepal is now somewhat altering its foreign policy and getting a balance despite its proximity to China, especially in the wake of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical thrust,” an analyst said.</p>