December 28, 2022
2 mins read

China’s renewed push to expedite BRI projects

The Sher Bahadur Deuba Deuba-led former government, despite China’s repeated calls, rejected accepting commercial loans for rail-road connectivity projects under the BRI fearing a “debt trap”…writes Santosh Ghimire

A day after Maoist party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda was appointed as Nepals new prime minister, China on Monday said that it looks forward to working with the new government to push projects under the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Congratulating Prachanda on his appointment, Mao Ning, the official spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, has said that China wants to pursue projects under the Belt and Road cooperation.

“As Nepal’s traditional friend and neighbour, China deeply values its relations with Nepal. China stands ready to work with the new Nepalese government to expand and deepen friendly exchange and cooperation across the board, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, inject new impetus into our strategic cooperative partnership featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity and deliver more benefits for our two peoples,” she told a regular press briefing at the ministry in Beijing on Monday.

Nepal joined the Chinese BRI back in May 2017 when Prachanda was heading the government in alliance with the Nepali Congress. However, not a single connectivity infrastructure projects under the BRI went into implementation since then.

The Sher Bahadur Deuba Deuba-led former government, despite China’s repeated calls, rejected accepting commercial loans for rail-road connectivity projects under the BRI fearing a “debt trap”.

Only last month, the government expressed its reservations over a Chinese proposal to sign a deal in order to carry out a feasibility study of an ambitious cross-border railway under the BRI.

In diplomatic interactions with Chinese authorities, Deuba communicated to them that his government preferred only grants from China to build mega projects.

With the advent of the left-dominated government, China is now asking Nepal for expediting projects under the BRI.

Although it is immediately not clear whether China played any intermediary role behind the close-door to form the present left-dominated government under Prachanda’s leadership, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday said that they have noted the recent political changes including general elections in Nepal.

“We have noted the smooth and successful general elections in Nepal. We congratulate Mr. Prachanda on his appointment as the new Prime Minister of Nepal,” she said.

She also believed that with the concerted efforts of the Nepalese government and people and through the consultation and coordination of various political parties and political forces, Nepal will enjoy continued stability and socioeconomic development.

China, which is also one of the key development partners and immediate neighbors of Nepal, has invested heavily in the country’s infrastructure projects including airports in recent years.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: What Prachanda’s premiership means for India?

Previous Story

What Prachanda’s premiership means for India?

Next Story

China ends release of daily Covid statistics

Latest from -Top News

India, UK Cement Strategic Ties

Oliver Robbins met Vikram Misri in New Delhi for UK–India talks reviewing their strategic partnership….reports Asian Lite News Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), met

India, Malaysia Stand Together on Terror

The Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to peace and thanked the Indian delegation for the briefing on India’s approach to dealing with terrorism at large…reports Asian Lite News An all-party Indian delegation met

Don’t Let Bailout Back Terror, Tharoor Warns IMF

Tharoor expressed his displeasure at the International Monetary Fund for enabling Pakistan thus as they divert those funds to arm themselves to attack India….reports Asian Lite News All-Party Delegation leader and Congress

India Doubles Down on BRICS at Brazil Talks

The BRICS Communications Ministers met in Brasilia under the Chair of Brazil on June 2, and conducted discussions on universal and meaningful connectivity…reports Asian Lite News India reiterated its commitment to enduring
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Heated exchange between India, China over vessel in Lanka

Following China’s repeated meetings with Colombo, Sri Lanka allowed the

China flexes dual carriers in South China Sea drills

The exercises involved the Liaoning and Shandong, China’s two active