KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said no loan agreement would be signed during his official visit to China this time. PM Oli is embarking on a visit to the northern neighbour on December 2.
During discussions with former prime ministers and former foreign affairs ministers held today in the context of his impending China visit, PM Oli said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not a loan project while making it clear that whether or not to take loans from China under BRI is not the topic of dispute at present.
"We can take loan or grant from any country or agencies on the basis of national interest in case we need it. We should not go after the rumours that loans are being taken to get entrapped in debt trap. We have a long and cordial relation with China. This visit is being made in order to further fostering a multi-dimensional mutual friendship," the Prime Minister said.
PM Oli further added: "Whichever country we visit first, we keep the nation's sovereignty, autonomy and independence, and the national interest with international benefit in supreme priority. Hence, this visit is going to be successful. There is no meaning in spreading falsehood that the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) are in dispute regarding the visit. We do nothing else other than those in the interest of Nepal and world peace. I urge one and all to be reassured on this."
According to the Prime Minister, preparation for the China visit are being made especially regarding the effective implementation of the agreements and treaties signed in the past as well as holding discussions on expansion of transmission line, exporting Nepali products to China and other matters of bilateral cooperation.
Stating that Nepal has the same friendly relations with another neighbour, India, he stressed on taking benefit of the cordial ties with both countries for Nepal's economic development.
Prime Minister Oli urged that no one should take such matters as a 'card' against any country as the official visit of the Chief Executive of Nepal will be based on the needs and decisions of the country.
In the discussion, former Prime Minister and Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' mentioned that he had broken tradition by visiting China first in the past and clarified that he did not intend to play the 'China card' but said that the PM should not play cards in the political ups and downs of the country.
He emphasized on the effective implementation of the agreements signed with China last year when he was the Prime Minister.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba said that homework is being done on the matter of 'agenda' by the ruling two-party regarding the visit to China and all the agendas will be finalized soon by the Prime Minister. She said that there is no dispute between the two parties as projected in the media.
President of Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was absent in the discussions because he was out of Kathmandu Valley while former Prime Ministers Jhal Nath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, former Chairman of the Council of Ministers KhilrajRegmi, former Foreign Ministers Ishwar Pokharel, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, NP Saud, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Dr. Bimala Rai were present in the meeting.
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