KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 25

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that no loan agreements will be signed during his upcoming official visit to China. PM Oli is scheduled to depart for the northern neighbor on December 2.

During a meeting with former prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers held today in preparation for the visit, PM Oli clarified that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not a loan project. He emphasized that whether to secure loans under the BRI framework is not currently a contentious issue.

'We can accept loans or grants from any country or agency based on national interest when necessary. However, we must not fall prey to rumors about loans leading to a debt trap. Our relationship with China is long-standing and amicable. This visit aims to further strengthen a multidimensional friendship,' the Prime Minister stated.

He added, 'In any international visit, our supreme priority remains national sovereignty, autonomy, independence, and national interests alongside global cooperation. This visit will undoubtedly be fruitful. Claims of disputes between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) regarding the visit are baseless. Rest assured, our actions are solely guided by Nepal's interest and the pursuit of world peace.'

The Prime Minister noted that the visit will focus on effectively implementing past agreements, expanding the transmission line, boosting exports of Nepali products to China, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. He also reiterated Nepal's commitment to maintaining equally cordial relations with India, leveraging ties with both neighbors for economic progress.

PM Oli urged against viewing Nepal's diplomatic engagements as a 'card' against any nation, stating that official visits by Nepal's leadership are rooted in the country's needs and decisions.

During the meeting, former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal recalled his own precedent of visiting China first.

He clarified that he had not intended to play the 'China card' and cautioned against using diplomacy as a tool in domestic political fluctuations. He stressed the importance of implementing agreements made with China during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba assured that preparatory work on the agenda for the China visit is ongoing and will soon be finalized. She dismissed rumors of a rift between the ruling coalition parties, calling media reports exaggerated.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was absent from the discussions due to travel outside Kathmandu Valley.

However, former Prime Ministers Jhal Nath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Khil Raj Regmi, along with former Foreign Ministers Ishwar Pokharel, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Bhes Bahadur Thapa, NP Saud, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, and Dr. Bimala Rai, were in attendance.