Move forward with BRI, but without loans, NC tells Oli

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress has urged the Prime Minister to proceed with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) without adding additional debt burden to the country.

NC Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that a meeting of the top leaders of major political parties held on Wednesday concluded that BRI should be pursued without adding a loan burden to the state.

Mahat said NC gave its suggestions as a ruling coalition partner and that it was up to the Prime Minister to take a decision.

“BRI is being implemented with a global perspective. It is a highly ambitious project and it is not unusual for neighboring and powerful countries to use their economic strength,” he said. “China is Nepal’s neighbor, and we must maintain excellent relations. We must maintain friendly relations with our neighbors.”

Mahat also emphasized the importance of maintaining relations with both India and China. “We must make any agreement in the national interest. We must apply a single standard in foreign policy. We must see how this agreement and relationship strengthens national interests,” he said. “Whoever is in power must not forget this.”

Nepal had initially expressed theoretical consent to the BRI in 2014. Subsequently, on May 12, 2017, Nepal signed the BRI framework agreement.