Published 17:05 IST, October 13th 2019
China to conduct feasibility study of trans-border railway with Nepal
At a state banquet in Nepal, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that his nation would carry out a feasibility study of the trans-border railway with Nepal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that his country would carry out a feasibility study on creating a trans-border Railways link with Nepal. At a state banquet hosted by Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, he made this announcement. He also promised to construct the Rasuwagadhi-Chhare-Kathmandu tunnel way. The upgradation of the Araniko Highway was also approved. The formal agreement in this regard is expected when Xi Jinping will meet Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli later on Sunday. Moreover, Bhandari lauded the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is China’s most ambitious infrastructure story.
Nepal engagements
The government of Nepal arranged a grand welcome for the President of China when he arrived in the country on October 12. It set up welcome gates at several locations in Kathmandu along with the flag of both the countries. Furthermore, the portrait of Chinese President Jinping was put on poles. Xi Jinping directly flew from Chennai where he attended the second China-India informal summit with PM Narendra Modi. He was received at the Kathmandu airport on Saturday by Bhandari along with ministers and other high-ranking officials. The visit will last for two days.
Talks with former PM
Xi Jinping also held talks with Nepal's former PM and Chairman of the Nepali Congress, the country's biggest opposition party in Parliament, Sher Bahadur Deuba. Writing on the microblogging website Twitter, the latter observed that they discussed the strengthening of the partnership between Nepal and China. He also recalled the traditional exchanges between the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of China. Thereafter, he expressed hope on collaboration in areas like energy, trade, and infrastructure.
(With ANI inputs)
Updated 17:51 IST, October 13th 2019