Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 10 October 2019)- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that discussion would be held on the issue of economic partnership keeping Nepal’s welfare and interest at the centre during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal.
Prime Minister Oli said so after holding discussion with the former Prime Ministers, former Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs experts at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today in connection with the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal.
The Chinese President is paying two-day state visit to Nepal from October 12. Spokesperson of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Narayankaji Shrestha, participated in the discussion, said that Prime Minister Oli expressed the belief that the visit of the Chinese President would take Nepal-China mutual relations to a new height.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that discussion would also be held regarding the investment model for the construction of Kerung-Kathmandu railway, saying discussion would be held with China on the issue of economic partnership keeping Nepal’s national interest at the centre.
He said, “We will also hold discussion with China regarding the issue of long-term welfare and necessity. But we also want to give equal importance to the issue of immediate necessity and collaboration.” Also the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shrestha, said that mainly the discussion would be held on the issues of road and connectivity with China, saying discussion would be also be held on the issues of upgrading and operation of Kimathanka and Korala check points, construction of Tokha-Chhahare tunnel and upgrading of Araniko highway.
Likewise, Nepali Congress leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that they suggested the government to collaborate with China on the basis of nation’s welfare and necessity. Also the former Foreign Minister, Dr Mahat drew government’s attention not to make any hurry to launch big projects, saying they are always in favour that Chinese investment should be increased, Nepal should participate in ‘Belt and Road Initiatives’.
He also urged the government not to create environment of any confusion in foreign policy of Nepal. Similarly, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali on the behalf of the government briefed about the preparations made so far for the Chinese President’s visit. Saying the Chinese President’s state visit to Nepal would be historical and successful, leaders and experts participated in the discussion suggested to sign agreement and treaty keeping nation’s interest and necessity at the centre.
Former Prime Minister and NCP Chair Pushpa Kamal dahal “Prachanda’, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, former Prime Ministers– Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Dr Baburam Bhattarai, former Chairperson of Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi, among others were present on the occasion.
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