The issue of the MCC, an agreement between two friendly countries, Nepal and the United States of America, is now privy to most of the Nepalese living in/out of the country. At this point, the reality has been that Nepal's broader population is convinced that the MCC compact is not in favor of Nepal, and this fact remains unchanged. But a critical question is yet to be answered, 'Why is the MCC compact agreement not in favor of Nepal?' In other words, Nepalese people have been made to understand that the MCC compact is not suitable for Nepal, but that argument would prove right or wrong only when the agreement is ratified. Today, it is too early to tell whether Nepal would sign the pact.

But it can be easily said that without doing some extra work, ratification or nullification of MCC won't help strengthen the America-Nepal relationship as expected. Hence responsible people from both aisles must sit back and think about how to keep the relationship between America and Nepal stronger than it had ever been. At present, that effort of strengthening the America Nepal relationship must be facilitated by the team of MCC and led by its Vice President, Ms. Fatima Sumar. The question definitely will arise how that can be done, but that's not the question that has no answers. If acted wisely and calmly, the effort of strengthening U.S. Nepal relation is quickly achieve-able and below are the road map how.

As per its declaration, The Millennium Challenge Cooperation is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign assistance agency helping lead the fight against global poverty. So being one of the countries that have been battling poverty for a long time, Nepal and its people have no reason to differ why Nepal can't be benefitted from MCC. That's the reason why Nepal had happily participated in its selection process and has accepted to be part of it. Everyone must acknowledge that no Nepali had ever differed in the idea of being part of the MCC compact and benefited from it. Yet, the truth is that Nepali people have questions, concerns, and dissatisfaction with it. The discontent of Nepali people over MCC has been generated based on some misleading statements of some officials within American authorities and some confusing provisions that are there in agreement. But the situation is not worse at all; it has not been something that can't be resolved. Looking at the historical friendship between America and Nepal, there should not be any issues on both ends to sit down, have open discussions and clarify the agreements wherever needed and move on the path of ratifying it. Yet, it seems like there is no serious consideration to resolve the issues. Instead, there are misjudgments, confusions, doubts on both sides, growing overtime time. That must stop; the confusion and doubts must be eliminated. They have to be eliminated for MCC and for continuing good relationships between two countries who have always been friends with each other. Yet solving problems needs realization and generating the best solution to cope with it.

So let's begin by discussing what the concerns of Nepali people are. When I mention Nepali people, I refer to the majority of people who are free of political affiliations and ideology hence not driven by any guidance of any leaders who might have their agendas. So those Nepali people who are only concerned for their country, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity have always been patriotic and have spoken on behalf of the idea of keeping Nepal we friends of all but enemy of none. That standpoint of Nepal is the foundation of Nepal's long stand of non-engagement diplomacy, which Nepalese people are always proud of. However, despite Nepal's non-engaged diplomacy, Nepali people have always stood for democracy, freedom, and human rights and have stood against terrorism of all types. That's why Nepal has proudly supported the global war on terror led by the United States in the past. Not to mention with its people's strong support for democracy,

Nepal has always been an excellent friend of the U.S., which is considered a pioneer of democracy and freedom. That relationship between the U.S. and Nepal is based on respect, trust, and unbroken history of displayed friendship. So even at present Nepali people are genuinely hoping to see that company remain stronger. If anyone within MCC or the current administration of the U.S. is thinking that Nepali people are trying to associate against any anti-American forces, then that is wrong. However, as much as they are committed to remaining friends with America, they are also committed to not being part of any country's strategy against another one. That's why they became suspicious of MCC when some American official was quoted saying that MCC is part of Indo Pacific strategy of the United States. And once that came up, some influential politicians within Nepal started to raise issues over some points within the compacts, such as the provision of the MCC compact's ability to override Nepal's current and future laws and regulations if it contrasts with the MCC compact and its operation. Yet there are doubts within Nepalese itself whether or not those leaders brought up those concerns by politicians for the sole benefit of the nation or any hidden provocations are playing a role behind their stand. Despite their doubt on political leaders and their stand against MCC, Nepali people agree that some confusing provisions exist in MCC compact agreements. Just because they have concerns about it and have a strong belief that disputes have to be resolved, no Nepali favor letting MCC go away; instead, they are willing to see MCC being ready to discuss and amend or clarify the disputed points the MCC compact agreement.

That's that on the Nepalese end. Now let's talk about the American side of it. As Nepal counts America as its trusted friend, America also counts Nepal as its closest friend. The United States Department of State, which is similar to the ministry of foreign affairs, has mentioned that it has friendly bilateral relationships with Nepal. With due respect to that friendship, the United States of America has always been helpful to Nepal when it needed the most. America's help to Nepal has a long history, and Nepalese people have always appreciated those help. America's unsolicited service and kindness during the earthquake in Nepal and the current pandemic was able to touch the heart of Nepali people. Even though Nepal and America have that emotional attachment and long historical friendships between the two countries, American officials express their doubts based on the reluctance of Nepalese people in ratifying the MCC compact and the dual role played by some politicians over the issue of MCC. Not only Americans but Nepalese people aren't happy about the dual role being played by some political leaders of Nepal regarding the MCC compact, but American officials must understand that Nepali people aren't playing a dual role. They are not against MCC; instead, they seek some clarifications and possible amendments if needed within the compact. As a global leader of present America and its officials definitely can think that adversaries will not leave any chance to come on their way of operation. They have the right to be proactive and work to prevent their adversaries from coming on their way. So there is no reason to blame any one of them for doubting that China is playing a role in creating anti-MCC sentiments among Nepalese. However, in regards to Nepal, that doubt is just a doubt because Nepalese people have never made up their minds based on the provocation of any foreign governments or entities, and MCC isn't an exception. But besides the fact that Nepalese have always made up their mind on their own, it can't be denied that a few instances, Nepali people have been found of misjudging or being over cautious about things and have missed some opportunities over the doubts and misjudgments which never got a chance to be tested. That's what American officials are missing at this point, and they are quick to react. It's sad, but the truth is that some American officials are making statements that have given ground for those to be proven right who intend to weaken the relationship between the U.S. and Nepal. Donald Lu's recent remarks, Assistant Secretary of State, wasn't something to applaud ether. It was reported by news media that Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu told Nepali leaders that if the MCC grant agreement did not move forward, the U.S. would understand that China played a role in Nepali internal politics, resulting in indecision on MCC and its ultimate suspension. Even if what was said that Lu said can't represent the genuine American sentiment. Still, it means the mentality of few officials within the current administration who rely on unrealistic doubts and act wrong. Yes, there must be no doubt that China has been working to diminish American leadership globally, but that should not mean Nepali people and their decisions are intimated by China. If the media said whatever is true, the understanding of the assistant secretary, LU, and rest within his team, is not the fact. Still, their unnecessary doubt is similar to that that existed within a few genuine Nepalese that America might have been trying to use Nepal against China. Nether Nepali are against America, nor is America trying to use Nepal in its battle against China.

Now, with all that's mentioned above, it should have been quite clear that MCC compact agreement between Nepal and America and the issue associated with its ratification have created some doubts and confusions between the two countries. It is evident that as long as there are doubts and misunderstandings, they must be resolved and done through actions. More importantly, when that happens among friends, that must be done quickly but cautiously, and that's precisely what should be done between America and Nepal. The responsibilities of doing so basically fall under the MCC team and its leadership. Concerning the long historical friendship between America and Nepal and the unbroken love and care that lies between citizens of the two countries, MCC must quickly consider holding an open dialogue with the Government of Nepal and make them comfortable to honestly present the concerns of Nepali people, which is no way generated out of any anti-American sentiment. When that happens, the government of Nepal or political leaders of Nepal will not have much to present as concerns of Nepali people other than demanding some clarification and some minor amendments on provisions within the compact. As MCC is an agency of the United States Government that believes in transparency, it should have no hardship on stating and proving its publicly outlined concept that MCC is country (the country that gets the funding) led implementation and solutions. The problem will be solved as soon as Stack holders of MCC are ready to have open dialogue, be committed to eliminating barriers through exchanges, and move forward in ratifying the MCC compacts to implement it according to MCC's commitments fighting against global poverty.

 The MCC team must facilitate this effort of redirecting the MCC compact between the U.S. and Nepal towards ratification and led by its leader Ma. Fatima Sumar is an experienced leader who has a proven record of getting things done and making her affiliated organizations successful. So as being a rising leader and trusted official of the United States, Ms. Sumar is responsible for leading the effort of strengthening Nepal America relations. History has given her that opportunity, and it shouldn't be too much to think she will fulfill that wisely because doing so isn't that hard. A straightforward way of doing so is to calmly listen to what has been said at the people's level and be ready to address people's genuine concerns and create an environment of trust while moving forward with more significant consent of all if not of the majority. That can begin just by a simple realization that Nepali people have never been anti-American and will never be. Still, they are always pro-Nepali and deserve to be assured that their nation isn't heading towards being part of any strategy. So it's a kind request to her Excellency Ms. Fatima Sumar to initiate and be that ironic person whom all Nepalese; resident and non-resident, can be considered a crucial player in strengthening U.S. Nepal relations. I think this request is fair and meaningful, and I feel accepting this request of being open to dialogue on a general level for a few might delay the process. Still, it will create a more robust relationship between the two countries. Is it too much to ask Ms. Sumar?