The new US ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson on Friday presented his credentials to President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the President’s Office.

“I look forward to working with the leaders and people of Nepal to ensure that the successes of the next 75 years of the US-Nepal partnership surpass the last,” Thompson wrote on Twitter After the audience with the President.

Later Thompson called on the Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka at the latter’s office and discussed various facets of Nepal-US relations, according to the foreign ministry. During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interests to further deepen bilateral relations, the ministry said.

Thompson had arrived in Kathmandu on October 13 to take up his new diplomatic assignment. He has replaced Randy Berry, who has been nominated as new US envoy to Namibia.

Thompson also issued a statement later saying he was determined to serve with an unwavering commitment to the US-Nepal relationship, which he said is based on respect of sovereignty and common values.

“Right now is an important moment for our countries, and I look forward to working with all Nepalis to address the most pressing issues of our time. In the coming years, the United States will continue to support Nepal I achieving its goal of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“As the climate crisis impacts the Himalayan region, we will help bolster Nepal’s climate resilience through innovative programming and partnership.

“Finally, working with the civil society, free media, and government, our countries will continue defending democracy and strengthening the will of the people, free from the corruption, disinformation, and repression,” the ambassador said in the statement.

Earlier, during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 13 on his nomination to Kathmandu, Thompson had lauded Nepal for passing the US Millennium Challenge Corporation Nepal Compact “in the face of a torrid disinformation carried out by People’s Republic of China.”

“Nepal has been referred to as a ‘yam between two stones,’ those stones being China and India,” Thompson told the US Senate, adding, “While those countries do have important relationships with Nepal, we also share Nepal’s interest in strengthening its sovereignty and its partnership with the US.”

But the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu quickly rebuffed the statement made by Thompson and called it baseless.

“They have not only slandered China, but also offended Nepal and its people. It is a true ‘disinformation.’ China firmly rejects it,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

Wang Xiaolong, spokesperson for the Embassy of China in Kathmandu, said in the statement that the MCC compact was endorsed along with an interpretative declaration to ensure that the Constitution of Nepal shall prevail over the compact and other associated agreements and that Nepal shall not be part of any United States’ strategy, military or security alliance including the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

“These are legitimate actions of the Nepali government and people to defend their sovereignty and independence and safeguard national interests,” Wang said. “It is China’s consistent belief that in pursuing international development cooperation, the principle of mutual respect and equality should be upheld, the sovereignty of the country concerned and the will of its people should be fully respected.”