Government Still ‘Discussing’ Implementation of BRI Six Years after Signing Pact with China

July 14: The Government of Nepal has said that it is currently discussing the issue of implementing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project of China. Nepal and China signed an agreement on the BRI project in 2017.    
Delivering a statement in the National Assembly meeting on Thursday, Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud said, "Discussions are being held between the two countries regarding the implementation of the BRI."    
Though the agreement on BRI was signed back in 2017, no decision has been made so far on the modality of moving ahead the projects.

Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song had claimed during the inauguration of the Pokhara Regional International Airport on January 1 that the airport was constructed under the BRI project. Foreign Minister Saud however said that no project has been moved ahead under the BRI so far.    
He said that the feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu Railway and the Inter-country Power Transmission Line between the two countries is being carried out under this project. These projects were signed during the visit of China's then Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Nepal in March 2022.    
During the occasion, former Foreign Minister Bimala Paudyal Rai enquired whether Nepal has deviated from its non-aligned foreign policy.    
In response, Minister Saud mentioned that Nepal has been able to achieve credibility and respect in the world due to the independent, balanced, impartial and objective point of view it has adopted.

He added that Nepal has been strengthening and expanding relations with other countries including neighjbouring countries on the basis of universal equality, mutual respect and benefit.    
Foreign Minister Saud had participated in the Summit of Non-Aligned Movement held at Baku of Azerbaijan from July 3-6.    
"I had expressed 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. Therefore, I would like to make it clear that Nepal's commitment towards adopting non-aligned foreign policy is consistent," he shared. -- RSS