May 31, Kathmandu - Sarah B. Rogers, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, has arrived in Kathmandu from New Delhi, marking a significant step in high-level U.S.-Nepal diplomatic engagements. Rogers is among the most senior American diplomats to visit Nepal recently.

She arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday night amid ongoing high-level visits following the formation of Nepal’s new government led by Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Before her arrival, prominent U.S. officials including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Sameer Kumar Kapoora, and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, had visited Nepal.

During her stay, Rogers is scheduled to visit Nepal, India, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. This marks her first trip to Central Asia since assuming her role as Deputy Foreign Minister.

According to Mike Harker, the spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Rogers will participate in a special event celebrating her ascent of Mount Everest, which the embassy organized. Harker also noted that Rogers climbed Everest on June 6.

In honor of her visit, the U.S. Embassy has organized a ‘The Ascent Summit’ — a special ceremony where Rogers will be the chief guest.  

Details of her itinerary in Nepal remain undisclosed, but it is expected she will meet with political leaders, ministers, and diplomats. Notably, previous U.S. officials such as Assistant Secretary Kapoor and Special Envoy Gork had meetings with Nepalese leaders including Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. However, there have been no meetings with Prime Minister Shah, and it remains unclear whether Rogers will meet with him during her visit.

This diplomatic visit underscores the growing engagement between the United States and Nepal, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in the region.