Implementation of BRI under discussion: Government

KATHMANDU, JULY 13: The government has said discussions are on regarding the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) related projects. Delivering a statement in the National Assembly meeting today, Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud informed this.  Though Nepal and China signed an agreement on the BRI in 2017, no decision has been made so far on the modality of moving ahead with the projects.

Before this, the Ambassador of China to Nepal, Chen Song had claimed during the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport on January 1, 2023, that a project under the BRI has been implemented. Foreign Affairs Minister Saud however said that no project has been moved ahead under the BRI before this as well.

As he said, a feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu Railway and the Inter-country Power Transmission Line between the two countries is being carried out. These projects were signed during the visit of China's then-Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Nepal in March 2022.

Stating that diplomatic initiatives were being made to build independent view in international relations on the basis of merits and demerits, he said, "Nepal's diplomatic efforts are directed towards building independent opinion on international issues on the basis of merits and demerits, voting and making the international ties just, fair, responsible and cooperative."

During the deliberation on the budget and programme allocated for the Foreign Ministry and subordinate bodies under the Appropriation Bill, 2060, former Foreign Minister Bimala Paudyal Rai enquired whether Nepal deviates from the non-aligned foreign policy. Stating that Nepal has been strengthening and expanding relations with other countries including neighjbouring countries on the basis of universal equality, mutual respect, and benefit, Minister Saud mentioned that Nepal has been able to achieve credibility and respect in the world due to its independence, balanced, impartial and objective point of view it has adopted.

Foreign Minister Saud had participated in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku of Azerbaijan from July 3-6. The Foreign Minister briefed the upper house of the Federal Parliament about his address at the Summit.

"I had expressed the commitment of the Government of Nepal on collaboration for further highlighting the relevance and significance of the Non-Aligned Movement in the changing international scenario as well as laid emphasis on solidarity and collaboration of Non-Aligned Movement member countries for the resolution of burning political and economic issues of the world. Therefore, I would like to make it clear that Nepal's commitment towards adopting non-aligned foreign policy is consistent," he shared.