Nepal and China Sign Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Framework

Nepal and China have officially signed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Framework, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. The agreement was formalized today during a ceremony in Beijing, as part of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s four-day official visit to China.

Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Deputy Head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission Liu Sushe represented their respective countries in signing the framework. The agreement underscores Nepal’s commitment to deepening economic and infrastructure cooperation with China under the BRI, a global development strategy initiated by Beijing.

The signing took place on the third day of Prime Minister Oli’s visit, which was made at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang. This framework is expected to strengthen Nepal’s connectivity with the region and beyond, with projects focused on infrastructure development, trade, and investment.

Prime Minister Oli has expressed optimism about the agreement, stating that Nepal aims to leverage the BRI to foster economic growth and enhance regional integration.

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, seeks to improve connectivity and cooperation across Asia, Europe, and Africa through infrastructure investments, trade networks, and economic partnerships. Nepal joined the BRI in 2017, and today’s agreement further solidifies its participation in the initiative.

Further discussions during Oli’s visit are expected to outline priority projects and funding mechanisms under the framework.