DPM Narayan Kaji Shrestha Proposes Economic Corridors, Discusses Bilateral Cooperation During Official Visit to China

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has returned from a nine-day official visit to China, during which he engaged in high-level discussions aimed at bolstering bilateral ties and fostering economic cooperation. Shrestha disclosed that he proposed the establishment of Nepal-China economic and development corridors during his visit, aiming to enhance economic growth, trade, tourism, and connectivity between Nepal and three Chinese provinces—Tibet, Sichuan, and Chongqing.

Shrestha's discussions with Chinese leaders focused on developing economic and development corridors between Nepal and the aforementioned provinces, which have historically played pivotal roles in nurturing bilateral relations. These provinces, entrusted with promoting and expanding relations with Nepal under China’s “peripheral diplomacy,” have witnessed a flurry of high-level visits from Nepali officials recently, indicating the deepening ties between the two nations.

One of the major achievements of Shrestha's visit was the reciprocal visa waiver for Nepali citizens traveling to China—a positive step signaling growing cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, discussions centered on reopening traditional border points closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, although this is expected to encounter technical challenges and may not occur immediately.

Furthermore, both sides explored the elevation of bilateral mechanisms to the foreign minister level, similar to those established with other nations, to facilitate regular discussions on various aspects of Nepal-China relations. Additionally, efforts were made to finalize the implementation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Nepal prioritizing grants over loans for infrastructure projects. Despite some challenges and differences in perspectives, both countries expressed readiness to collaborate on specific projects in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, hydropower, and infrastructure, underscoring a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and regional connectivity.