Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s visit to China, which began on Tuesday, will focus on advancing cross-border connectivity, including through a railway corridor to Kathmandu, which could be extended to India in the future.
In an interview with Xinhua news agency ahead of his departure, Mr. Oli said that during his visit, which will also take him to Lhasa, he would focus on a Trans-Himalayan transport corridor. “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,” he observed.
Nepal has been seeking improved connectivity with China via Tibet, after New Delhi was accused of blockading essential supplies across the India-Nepal border in 2015.
A balancing act
Mr. Oli has been trying to establish a “balance” between Nepal’s ties with India and China, which has also included symbolic gestures such as choosing to visit New Delhi first after becoming Prime Minster for the second time.
Mr. Oli quoted Panchsheel — the five principles of peaceful coexistence — as the template for an independent foreign policy that would include a simultaneous engagement of India and China.
"Our relations are based on the solid foundation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," Mr. Oli said. He added: “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."
Mr. Oli pointed out that Nepal had recently proposed some infrastructure projects covering roads, railway, energy, transmission lines with China under the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had alluded to the formation of the Trans-Himalayan economic corridor that could be extended to India.
In the presence of Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, who had visited Beijing to prepare for Mr. Oli’s visit, Mr. Wang said that China and Nepal had agreed to a “long-term vision of a multi-dimensional trans-Himalaya connectivity network”, under the BRI.
These projects would cover seaports, railways, highways, aviation, power, and communication sectors. “We believe that such a network when well-developed can also provide conditions for an economic corridor connecting China, Nepal and India. We hope that such cooperation will contribute to the development and prosperity of all three countries.”
During his visit, Mr. Gyawali said Nepal and China had agreed to start a feasibility study for a cross-border railway linking the countries.
Soon after his arrival on Tuesday, Mr. Oli recalled his 2016 visit to China, when Beijing backed Nepal’s decision to diversify its trade and transit routes.
The Kathmandu Post reported that there are some concerns in Beijing over the slow progress in implementing trade and transit agreements signed during Mr. Oli’s previous visit. Apart from the political fluidity in Nepal, it said that China’s security concerns demanded that appropriate safeguards were in before Tibet-Nepal transit was fully developed.
