US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, concluded his visit to Nepal on Saturday, describing it as “highly productive.”

He is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Saturday night.

During his visit, Gor held high-level meetings with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. He also engaged in discussions with Nepali business leaders, according to the US Embassy.

Gor met Lamichhane on Saturday morning, where they discussed strengthening the United States–Nepal partnership. Writing on social media platform X, Gor said the new government in Nepal has an “incredible mandate for change,” and its announced reforms are promising. “We look forward to working closely together,” he added.

The US side had requested a meeting between Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Gor. However, the Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting could not take place, citing the prime minister’s focus on domestic priorities and governance issues.

Some ministers, including those from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had urged the prime minister to meet Gor. However, the prime minister declined, maintaining his position of not meeting diplomats, officials, or leaders below the rank of foreign ministers from selected countries. Close confidants said he also does not plan to undertake foreign visits for at least a year and intends to uphold this diplomatic protocol.

According to the US Embassy, the visit focused on deepening the US–Nepal partnership and expanding commercial ties, including new US business opportunities in Nepal’s growing tech sector.

Gor is the highest-ranking US diplomat to visit Nepal since the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party-led government on March 27.

On Friday, he met with Foreign Minister Khanal and Finance Minister Wagle, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to its longstanding partnership with Nepal.

“Special Envoy Gor held productive and constructive meetings with Foreign Minister Khanal and Finance Minister Wagle, focusing on improving the business climate, attracting foreign investment, expanding economic ties, and promoting mutual prosperity,” the US Embassy said in a statement. “He welcomed the Government of Nepal’s strong support for implementing Nepal’s Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact to build electricity transmission lines and roads, and encouraged continued efforts to foster a more conducive environment for sustainable economic growth.”

Gor also visited Everest Base Camp, where he received a briefing on American commercial drone technology and ongoing efforts by Nepali organisations to clean up Everest. According to the embassy, new drone technology could enable deliveries on Mount Everest within minutes, compared to multi-day treks in the past.

“The United States leads in innovation, and we are glad to partner with local Nepali companies to bring cutting-edge technology to Nepal,” Gor said. “We are hopeful that Nepal’s new government will further strengthen the partnership between our two nations.”

In addition, Gor attended a ceremony marking the return of the statue of the Akshobhya Buddha from the United States at Nhu: Chhen Baha in Kathmandu. The United States has reiterated its commitment to returning cultural and religious artefacts to Nepal. He also visited Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where he experienced the country’s rich cultural heritage.