Kathmandu (TDI): Nepal has taken a major step toward implementing China’s Ink Belt and Road Agreement (BRI) by signing a long-awaited framework agreement, the country’s foreign ministry announced.
The agreement, which comes seven years after Nepal joined the BRI in 2017, was finalized during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s four-day visit to Beijing.
Oli, who broke tradition by choosing China for his first official trip since taking office in July, described the agreement as a milestone in Nepal-China relations.
“Today, we signed the Framework for Belt & Roads Cooperation,” Oli wrote on X.
He also highlighted high-level talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other Chinese leaders during his visit.
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The pact, signed by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Liu Sushe of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, sets the stage for advancing infrastructure projects under the BRI.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network (THMDCN), aimed at enhancing links in roads, railways, aviation, and power grids.
Oli’s China Visit
Oli’s decision to visit Beijing instead of New Delhi for his first foreign trip marks a shift in Nepal’s diplomatic focus.
While Nepal has historically maintained close ties with India, the agreement underscores Kathmandu’s growing alignment with Beijing.
The BRI framework is expected to facilitate planning and financing for projects, potentially transforming Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked nation.
However, political divisions and debt concerns have delayed progress since Nepal joined the initiative.
Addressing a gathering at Peking University, Oli lauded China’s support for Nepal’s development and emphasized the transformative potential of BRI projects.
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“We will facilitate investments for realizing the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali,’” Oli said, calling for further Chinese investment.
Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba praised Oli’s visit for elevating Nepal-China ties to new heights.
With the framework now in place, both nations aim to translate shared aspirations into concrete development projects, signaling a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
