Land-locked Nepal is keen to enhance cross-border rail-road connectivity, infrastructure development, trade and tourism cooperation with China under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said.

Oli is in China from June 19 to 24. During his visit, a host of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative as well as China's plans for an India-Nepal-China economic corridor are expected to be discussed.

Ahead of his first official visit to Beijing since his re-election, Prime Minister Oli had also said that his government is fully committed to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under the framework of the BRI signed with China two years ago.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had unveiled the BRI in 2013 with an aim to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. However, Nepal’s other big neighbour India has not endorsed the BRI, a pet project of Xi, as the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern on sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Oli however is hoping to regain momentum in the China-Nepal bilateral as there has been news that there have been disagreements on certain infrastructure projects. The authorities say the two sides developed differences on the terms of the West Seti hydroelectric project and China complained of a lack of “proper working atmosphere”. But, PM Oli later denied there have been disagreements but the hydro-electric project might see a downgrade in capacity to make it more cost-effective according to a report by Yubaraj Ghimire for South China Morning Post.

China has undertaken a total of 15 projects in Nepal, including four hydropower plants, and the country's second international airport at Pokhara, with 14 others in the pipeline, Hong-Kong based South China Morning Post reported recently. "Prime Minister Oli will take up construction of 400-kilovolt cross-border transmission line – 800km of its route will lie in China and 80km in Nepal, right up to capital Kathmandu – via the Nepal-China border," the report quoted Energy Minister Barshaman Pun as saying.

In Beijing, Oli will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, and is expected to sign major infrastructure projects to further deepen bilateral ties. "Our two countries have common views on the concept of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Transport Network. Based on this broad framework, we want to seek cooperation with China on cross-border connectivity of railway, road, transmission lines and other related areas for mutual benefit," Oli said.

"China is our immediate neighbour. Our two countries share a long history of friendly relations which are multifaceted and deep rooted. "Our relations are based on the solid foundation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," he said, reiterating Nepal's long-standing one-China policy.

Nepal will sign an MoU on constructing a railway line connecting Kerung of Tibet to Kathmandu. A feasibility study will be conducted for the railway line, which is expected to be completed within four years. The PM has vowed not to allow the use of Nepali territory in engagement of any activities against China, in an apparent reference to Tibetan refugees in Nepal whom China considers to be dangerous separatists intended to destabilising the Tibet Autonomous Region. "China has always respected Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. It has been providing valuable assistance for Nepal's development efforts.

"Harmonious co-existence founded on the principle of good neighbourliness characterises our relationship. It has always been our sincere desire to maintain friendly relations with our neighbours," the prime minister said.

Oli’s five day long visit is also seen as a balancing act as he made India his first destination for his state visit after being elected as prime minister in February this year. China has promised to provide a countermeasure to Indian influence and Nepal’s dependence on its southern neighbour for trade and infrastructure expertise. (With Agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2018 04:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).