The US Congressional delegation that arrived in Nepal on Friday has started its official engagements in Kathmandu.

On Saturday, the visiting US lawmakers called on Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at Baluwatar.

“Pleased to welcome the US Congressional delegation led by Senator @SenGillibrand and exchange views on Nepal-US friendship and ways for enhancing multifaceted partnership involving governments, parliaments and people in general. Discussed global issues such as climate change,” Deuba tweeted on Saturday.

Led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), the US delegation comprises Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Cory Booker (New Jersey), Mark Kelly (Arizona), and Representative Mondaire Jones (17th Congressional District, New York) and some senior officials from various US departments.

The delegation also held talks with KP Sharma Oli, former prime minister and chair of the main opposition CPN-UML.

“The visiting Congressional delegation led by @SenGillibrand met w/ the Chair of CPN (UML) @KPSharmaOli to discuss various issues related to the U.S.-Nepal partnership,” the US embassy in Kathmandu tweeted.

The US delegation is in Nepal on a three-day visit to discuss a wide range of issues from bilateral cooperation to economic assistance and refugees, including Tibetans, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Since all members of the delegation are from the ruling Democratic Party, the purpose of the visit seems to be to shore up international support against the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Arjun Karki, former Nepali ambassador to the US, told the Post on Friday.

The US Embassy said on Friday that the visit is part of a longer trip by the delegation, which has included visiting Poland in order to learn how the US can continue to support Ukraine and NATO allies against Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted war, and India.

“Nepal has joined the majority of countries in condemning Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine,” the embassy said.

Nepal has maintained a constant position against Russian invasion of Ukraine at various UN platforms, voting in favour of the resolutions to condemn Moscow, except for one one occasion when it abstained during a vote to oust Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.

The Americans’ visit also comes about two months after Nepal ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation following a long-drawn-out struggle as Nepali parties were sharply divided over accepting the $500 million US grant.

Observers believe the US has sent the team also to thank the Nepali leadership for ratifying the grant agreement, which Beijing took note of after speaking at least twice against the American aid.

The delegation will also meet members of the Nepal-US Parliamentary Committee whose chair is Minendra Rijal, a Nepali Congress lawmaker and former defence minister.

It will also call on former prime minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Both Kathmandu and Washington are expecting more high-level exchanges this year as Nepal and Us are marking 75 years of their bilateral ties, Nepali and American officials have said.

The delegation also met with Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka on Saturday and discussed a wide range of issues.