The Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, a component of which the Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway is a part, was first formally agreed upon by China and Nepal in 2017 when Kathmandu joined the BRI.
Digital Desk: As part of the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has agreed to finance a feasibility study
for a cross-border railroad with Nepal and has offered $118 million for
projects in the nation with Chinese assistance, according to the foreign
ministries of the two nations.
The Chinese foreign ministry
announced on Thursday that this year, China will send experts to perform
assessments for the railway.
According to Wang Wenbin, a
spokesperson for the ministry, at a media conference in Beijing on Thursday,
this was decided upon during a meeting between Nepalese counterpart Narayan
Khadka and Chinese state councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi on Wednesday
in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.
"As I just said, the
two foreign ministers decided to create a cross-Himalaya, multidimensional
connectivity network during their discussions. Wang, a state councilor, stated
that China will use cash to support Nepal's feasibility assessment for the
railway and that within the year, experts would be sent there for exploration.
Wang declared that China
will collaborate with Nepal on power and connectivity projects across the
Himalayas.
The commitments made by
Foreign Minister Wang are a part of Beijing's outreach to south Asian nations
as it seeks to increase its sway in the area.
In October 2019, when the
two countries bilateral ties were elevated to a "strategic
partnership," President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Nepal.
According to a second
statement from the Nepalese foreign ministry on the Wang-Khadka meeting, the
Chinese ambassador promised Nepal grant assistance totaling 800 million RMB
($118 million) for a number of projects.
The Keyrung-Kathmandu
Railway feasibility study would be carried out by China under grant support,
Wang stated in the Nepalese release. As agreed upon during his official visit
to Nepal in March 2022, he also pledged support for the feasibility study of
the cross-border transmission line between Nepal and China.
The Nepalese statement said,
"On the occasion, state councilor Wang Yi announced to contribute 800
million RMB to Nepal for the year 2022."
The Trans-Himalayan
Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, a component of which the
Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway is a part, was first formally agreed upon by China
and Nepal in 2017 when Kathmandu joined the BRI.
Wang also stated that China
would "give Nepal 3 million RMB ($345,136) in disaster assistance
supplies in response to Nepal's request. According to the Nepalese statement,
China would also give Nepal an additional 2 million RMB ($296,757) worth of
medical supplies and logistics. Wang also stated that China will give Nepal
additional Covid-19 vaccines and Covid-19-related "medical support as much
as Nepal may want."
Wang told Khadka, according
to a second statement on the meeting released by the official news agency,
Xinhua, on Thursday, "China is ready to work with Nepal to jointly build
the Belt and Road (Initiative) with high quality, carry forward their ever-lasting
friendship, and open up new prospects for the development of bilateral
relations."
According to the Xinhua
statement, Wang further stated that China would support Nepal in maintaining
its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity as well as in
independently seeking a development path consistent with national realities,
bettering the lives of its citizens, and revitalizing the country.
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