Nepal to increase cross-border links, trade with China under BRI: PM Oli

Kathmandu: 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.

Ahead of his first official visit to Beijing since his re-election, Prime Minister Oli 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.

India has not endorsed the BRI, a pet project of Xi, as the $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.

Nepal attaches great value to its relationship with China which has always respected its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, Prime Minister Oli told China's state-run Xinhua news agency here.

China has signed pacts with nearly 80 countries and international organisations for the BRI.