BackK.P. Sharma Oli embarks on maiden visit to China with eye on key deals
Oli is expected to finalise deals on importing fuel and gas, transit and transportation to facilitate entry of Chinese goods into Nepal through Tibet
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Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Sunday embarked on his first official visit to China during which he will call on the top leadership and clinch key deals including on transit and importing fuel to avert a future blockade like the one the landlocked nation recently witnessed at the border with India.
The 64-year-old premier is leading a 50-member delegation for the week-long visit, being undertaken at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. Oli’s visit to the communist nation, which comes just over a month after he travelled to India in his first visit overseas, is being dubbed as the highest-level interaction between China and Nepal since establishment of the new Nepalese government last October.
Oli is expected to finalise agreements on importing fuel and gas besides transit and transportation deal to facilitate entry of Chinese goods into landlocked Nepal through Tibet.
It was being reported that Oli may clinch Transit and Transportation Agreement on importing fuel and gas from China to reduce dependence on oil imports from India, ties with which suffered due to a crippling blockade of key border trade points by Madhesis who are largely of Indian-origin.
Agreements on oil exploration, trademarks, and for the construction of an international airport in Pokhara and a bridge over the Simikot-Hilsa road section that will connect Humla district to Tibet will also be signed during the visit, minister for industry Som Prasad Pandey had said.
Oli is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Deputy Prime Minister and minister for foreign affairs Kamal Thapa, finance minister Bishnu Poudel, minister for commerce Deepak Bohara, minister for education Giriraj Mani Pokharel, and chief advisor to Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s office.
Chief secretary of the government Somlal Subedi, other senior government officials, business entrepreneurs and some media representatives are also included in the premier’s entourage.
During the visit, Oli is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Monday, the Nepalese premier will attend the welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People and hold bilateral talks with Li and discuss the matters relating to mutual interests and common concerns, the ministry for foreign affairs said in a press release.
Following the talks, the two leaders will witness the signing ceremony of bilateral Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings by senior officials of both Nepal and China.
Nepalese Prime Minister’s foreign affairs advisor Gopal Khanal said the two countries are considering a transit and trade agreement that would allow Nepal—whose only sea access is currently through Kolkata —the use of China’s ports for third-country trade.
“This visit is aimed at diversifying Nepal’s ties with China and preparing Nepal to be more independent," Khanal said. PTI
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