UML accuses NC of stalling BRI despite signing agreement

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali has accused coalition partner Nepali Congress (NC) of creating unnecessary problems on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation despite it being the party that signed the agreement.

Speaking to journalists in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Gyawali said, “They were the ones who signed it, and now they are trying to complicate things.”
The BRI agreement was signed in 2017 by then Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat of NC. CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal was leading the government at that time.

Gyawali revealed that Nepal has already selected nine projects after signing the agreement. “We have chosen nine projects under BRI. But we haven’t yet entered discussions about the funding modality,” he said.

While acknowledging the differences between the two ruling parties regarding BRI, Gyawali expressed confidence that they would reach an understanding before Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China. “There are some differences, but we will reach an understanding before the PM’s visit,” he said.