Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Monday, November 25, that no loan agreement would be signed during his official visit to China.
The prime minister is embarking on a visit to the northern neighbour on December 2, reported RSS, the state-owned news agency.
Oli made the remark during a discussion with former prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers held in Singhadurbar, Kathmandu in the context of his impending China visit.
Arguing that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was not a loan project, Oli mentioned that the loan-related topic under BRI should not be made an issue of debate at the moment.
“If we need, we can take loans or grants from any country or agency on the basis of national interest,” Oli told RSS. “We should stop following the rumors about loans and debt-trap.”
“We have a long and cordial relation with China. This visit is being made in order to further foster a multi-dimensional mutual friendship,” the Prime Minister added.
According to Oli, preparations for the China visit are being made, focusing on the effective implementation of the agreements and treaties signed in the past. Discussions will also be held on expansion of the transmission line, exporting Nepali products to China and other matters of bilateral significance, he said.
“Nepal enjoys friendly relations with both neighbours,” he added. “We need to leverage such cordial ties for our economic development.”
While the former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal emphasised on the effective implementation of the agreements signed with China during his term, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba informed that the ruling parties are close to finalising agendas for the visit.
RSS
