KATHMANDU, Sept 4: Economic and Development Advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Yubaraj Khatiwada has clarified that Nepal has not made any agreement in the line to support the China's Global Security Initiatives (GSI) during the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Oli and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking to Rastriya Samachar Samiti, the state-owned national news agency of Nepal, Khatiwada said the Government of Nepal is committed to the provision of Nepal's constitution and non-aligned foreign policy and will not become part of any country's security strategy. Former Finance Minister Khatiwada was one of the members of the Nepali delegation visiting China.
Nepal has not made any agreement on GSI: Foreign Secy Rai
Prime Minister Oli and Chinese President Xi, on Saturday held a bilateral talk in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Summit.
When asked about the press release issued by China after the meeting, which stated that Nepal supported China's GSI, Khatiwada said, "Prime Minister Oli's visit is basically for the SCO Summit. Generally, no agreements or understandings were signed or made on the sidelines of the summit. It is completely wrong to promote Nepal as a party to the GSI on a matter where there is no such agreement made."
Khatiwada informed that discussions were held on the implementation of the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and related agreements, and implementation of agreements previously reached between the two countries, including the priorities set by both the sides.
According to Khatiwada, discussions were held on expanding connectivity, industrial and infrastructure development, cooperation in the health sector, agriculture, trade, tourism, investment, science and technology, sports, natural disaster management, people-to-people relations between the two countries, and poverty alleviation. He added that China has expressed its readiness to assist Nepal in its economic and social transformation.
Previously, during Prime Minister Oli's official visit to China, agreements were signed between Nepal and China in the presence of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang on the construction of the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel, the promotion of Nepal-China trade, and the export of buffalo meat to China.
