INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Nepal viewes China's Belt and Road Initiative as an important development, KP Sharma Oli said
(file)Kathmandu: Land-locked Nepal is keen to enhance cross-border rail-road connectivity, infrastructure
development, trade and tourism cooperation with China under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has
said.Ahead of his first official visit to Beijing since his re-election, Mr
Oli said that his government is fully committed to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under the framework of the
BRI signed with China two years ago.Chinese President Xi Jinping had unveiled the BRI in 2013 with an aim to link Southeast Asia, Central
Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.India has not endorsed the BRI, a pet project of Xi, as the
$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 on sovereignty and territorial integrity.Nepal attaches great value to its relationship with
China which has always respected its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, Mr
Oli reportedly told China's state-run Xinhua news agency.China has signed pacts with nearly 80 countries and international organisations for
the BRI.In Beijing, Mr Oli will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Mr
Li Keqiang, and is expected to sign major infrastructure projects to further deepen bilateral ties.Nepal wants to discuss with China
cooperation modality in implementing projects under the BRI framework during his visit to China, the prime minister said."Our two countries
have common views on the concept of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Transport Network
Based on this broad framework, we want to seek cooperation with China on cross-border connectivity of railway, road, transmission lines and
other related areas for mutual benefit," Mr
Oli said.Nepal viewes the BRI as an important development initiative, he said."China is our immediate neighbour
Our two countries share a long history of friendly relations which are multifaceted and deep rooted."Our relations are based on the solid
foundation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," he said, reiterating Nepal's long-standing one-China policy.He vowed not to
allow the use of Nepali territory in engagement of any activities against China, in an apparent reference to Tibetan refugees in Nepal whom
China considers to be dangerous separatists intended to destabilising the Tibet Autonomous Region."China has always respected Nepal's
sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence
It has been providing valuable assistance for Nepal's development efforts."Harmonious co-existence founded on the principle of good
neighbourliness characterises our relationship
It has always been our sincere desire to maintain friendly relations with our neighbours," the Mr Oli said.He said that he is looking
forward to having substantive discussions with the Chinese leaders on ways and means to further widen and deepen bilateral relationship and
areas of cooperation.He believed that China can help a lot in his country's socio-economic transformation as Nepal is marching ahead to
achieve economic prosperity at present.
