MP Khanal Raises Concerns Over Lack of Parliamentary Discussion on BRI Agreement

During today’s ‘Direct Question and Answer Program with the Prime Minister’ in the House of Representatives, Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Sishir Khanal raised serious concerns over the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement signed between Nepal and China in 2017.

Khanal emphasized that the agreement, which significantly impacts Nepal’s geopolitical landscape, has not been formally discussed in parliament. This lack of transparency, according to Khanal, not only fuels unnecessary speculation but also risks straining Nepal’s bilateral relations with China.

“Honorable Speaker, Nepal signed the BRI framework agreement with neighboring country China in 2017. However, this agreement has not been formally discussed in parliament, leading to unnecessary debate on the matter. Consequently, tensions may arise in our relationship with China,” Khanal stated during the session.

He pressed the Prime Minister for clarity on the government’s plans to provide information and facilitate discussions on the BRI agreement. “On this issue, what has the government considered regarding providing information and facilitating discussion? I would like to know more about this,” Khanal added.

MP Khanal asked this question on the brink of the BRI implementation plan, which officials say is likely to be signed today. If the BRI implementation plan is signed, it will pave the way for project selection, execution and funding modality of the projects to be selected under the BRI.

Nepal and China signed the BRI framework agreement in 2017 and in line with it, China had proposed the implementation plan in early 2020. Due to the divergence of positions over how to take the BRI forward, the plan to sign the implementation plan has been in limbo for four years.