KHATMANDU – Land-locked Nepal is keen to enhance cross-border rail-roadconnectivity, infrastructure development, trade and tourism cooperationwith China under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, Prime Minister KPSharma Oli has said. Ahead of his first official visit to Beijing since hisre-election, Prime Minister Oli said that his government is fully committedto implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under theframework of the BRI signed with China two years ago.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had unveiled the BRI in 2013 with an aim tolink Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe witha network of land and sea routes.India has not endorsed the BRI, a petproject of Xi, as the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,which is part of the BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern onsovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nepal attaches great value to its relationship with China which has alwaysrespected its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, PrimeMinister Oli told China’s state-run Xinhua news agency here.China hassigned pacts with nearly 80 countries and international organisations forthe BRI. In Beijing, Oli will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart LiKeqiang, and is expected to sign major infrastructure projects to furtherdeepen bilateral ties.
Nepal wants to discuss with China cooperation modality in implementingprojects under the BRI framework during his visit to China, the primeminister said. “Our two countries have common views on the concept ofTrans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Transport Network. Based on this broadframework, we want to seek cooperation with China on cross-borderconnectivity of railway, road, transmission lines and other related areasfor mutual benefit,” Oli said. Nepal viewes the BRI as an importantdevelopment initiative, he said.
“China is our immediate neighbour. Our two countries share a long historyof friendly relations which are multifaceted and deep rooted. “Ourrelations are based on the solid foundation of the Five Principles ofPeaceful Coexistence,” he said, reiterating Nepal’s long-standing one-Chinapolicy. He vowed not to allow the use of Nepali territory in engagement ofany activities against China, in an apparent reference to Tibetan refugeesin Nepal whom China considers to be dangerous separatists intended todestabilising the Tibet Autonomous Region.
“China has always respected Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity andindependence. It has been providing valuable assistance for Nepal’sdevelopment efforts. “Harmonious co-existence founded on the principle ofgood neighbourliness characterises our relationship. It has always been oursincere desire to maintain friendly relations with our neighbours,” theprime minister said. Oli said that he is looking forward to havingsubstantive discussions with the Chinese leaders on ways and means tofurther widen and deepen bilateral relationship and areas of cooperation.
He believed that China can help a lot in his country’s socio-economictransformation as Nepal is marching ahead to achieve economic prosperity atpresent.