Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli recently visited China and made important agreements. During his trip from December 2 to 5, he signed a deal for cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This deal is not a blanket agreement; instead, it allows for discussions about specific projects one by one. This means Nepal can get help from China without upsetting its relationships with India and the United States, which is crucial for its own political stability and economy.
Oli’s visit includes plans for further talks with India’s Prime Minister, aiming for a visit to New Delhi in mid-January 2023. The joint statement from the visit shows that both Nepal and China value their friendship, but there are still challenges ahead. Historically, the communist parties in Nepal have been close to China, but Oli was smart not to make any promises that could backfire politically. Instead, a special team worked together to create this new BRI Framework that both his party and the centrist Nepali Congress supported.
The statement emphasizes respect for China’s internal matters, such as avoiding support for Tibetan independence or Taiwan’s independence. The two countries also agreed to work together on cultural exchanges and deepen their economic ties through various projects.
Nepal plans to strengthen its transportation system by developing highways and economic corridors that will connect it better with China. They also want to reopen 14 border trade points that have been closed recently. This will make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries. In addition, opening flights to cities like Pokhara and Lumbini is in the works to boost travel and trade.
However, Nepal has ongoing concerns about borrowing money for these projects, and they prefer grants instead of loans. They’re aware that people in Nepal are cautious about too much dependence on China, so balancing relationships with India and the U.S. remains essential. The newly formed task force for BRI projects contains members from both major parties, which is a smart move to ensure a united front.
When the Nepali officials visit India next, they’ll have a solid plan from this visit to guide their foreign relations.
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