BRI will be enforced based on consensus, says FM Rana 

KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, has stated that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be enforced based on consensus among all concerned parties.

Foreign Minister Rana made this statement while responding to the media at Tribhuvan International Airport after returning from an official visit to China on Saturday. She was in China at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

"Nepal signed the BRI project framework in 2017. However, discussions regarding its enforcement modality are still ongoing. Therefore, the BRI will be implemented based on the agreement and understanding between Nepal and China, and among all stakeholders in Nepal," she mentioned.

The Minister argued that Nepal is not in a position to receive loans at present. The discussion with the Chinese side focused on this issue. "The ruling coalition Nepali Congress has already decided to enforce the BRI project through grants, and another partner, UML, was also informed. Our discussions focused on grants," Minister Rana reiterated. Nepal and China have close relations, and the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries has strengthened these ties at the people-to-people level. This visit is also part of this series.

According to her, she held talks with her Chinese counterpart on Friday regarding the imminent visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Embassy in China released a press statement, informing that Minister Rana held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister Wang in Chengdu on Friday afternoon.

During the meeting, the two ministers shared their views on all the important aspects of Nepal-China relations. Emphasising the importance of regular high-level visits for further consolidation of bilateral relations, the two ministers had extensive discussions on the preparations for the upcoming high-level visit of PM Oli to China.

The Minister reiterated that Nepal has always upheld the 'One China Policy' and will not allow any activity against China on Nepali territory. Both sides reaffirmed their support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.

During the talks, both sides focused on issues relating to trade, connectivity, investment, tourism, and people-to-people relations, among others. Both foreign ministers emphasised the progress of connectivity projects like the cross-border railway project, Tokha-Chhahare tunnel, highway, and economic corridor projects, among others.

Both committed to working together to further and deepen practical cooperation. The leaders expressed happiness over celebrating the year 2025 as 'Visit Nepal Year' for Chinese tourists on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, in addition to other events.

The two foreign ministers also underscored the need for concerted efforts from both sides to expedite the execution of ongoing projects and to implement the agreements and understandings reached between the two countries and leaders on several occasions.

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Rana appreciated and thanked the Chinese government for its continuous support and cooperation in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

In the meeting, the two ministers conferred on overall bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest and cooperation at bilateral, regional, and global levels.

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