KATHMANDU/Panjab Post
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ approved a crucial railway agreement with China just a day before facing a no-confidence vote in Parliament, reports MyRepublica. This decision, viewed more as operational than political, underscores Nepal’s commitment to China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
According to government sources, the Cabinet’s approval of the “Strengthening the Development Cooperation in Building the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network” aligns with President Xi Jinping’s ambitious infrastructure project. Communication Minister Rekha Sharma highlighted the significance of this move, though cautioning that project details and BRI modalities are yet to be finalized.
The timing of Prachanda’s decision, shortly preceding his defeat in the confidence vote, underscores its broader implications for Nepal-China relations. The Prime Minister garnered only 63 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives, paving the way for ex-PM K P Sharma Oli to form a new government.
This move is seen as pivotal not only for advancing BRI initiatives such as the Kerung-Kathmandu railway but also for enhancing infrastructure along the Nepal-China border. Nepal’s engagement with BRI has been under scrutiny, with concerns over debt sustainability raised globally.
Earlier, Nepal’s opposition parties had voiced reservations about BRI loans, opting instead for grants. The fate of Nepal’s 2017 BRI agreement with China, pending Cabinet approval, was also a contentious issue amidst geopolitical sensitivities.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has drawn international attention, with critics highlighting concerns over debt traps and strategic implications. India, in particular, has raised objections to BRI projects passing through disputed territories.
As Nepal navigates political transitions, its embrace of Chinese infrastructure investments underlines shifting regional dynamics and economic imperatives.
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