The prime minister said that signing the bilateral agreement on transit and transport has become imperative for Nepal to diversify its trade and make the country self-reliant in the days to come by ensuring its access to sea ports from various countries.He said that signing the bilateral agreement has become necessary as Nepal signed such a deal only with India making Nepal solely dependent on the southern neighbor.
"We will sign transit and transport agreement with China. It has become necessary because any country can't survive by begging to let it becoming self-reliant with other's aid," the prime minister said at a meeting of the parliament's Committee on International Affairs and Labor Relations on Friday. "Nepal signed the transit agreement with India but did nothing in the past to do similar deal with China. So we are going to do it this time around."
Stating that any country can't survive just by begging with any other country, the prime minister explained in length about why such a treaty with China was necessary. He said the bilateral agreement was necessary to lead the country toward economic prosperity by reducing its trade deficit and dependency on a single country.
He said talks will be held to resume trade through Tatopani border checkpoint, which was destroyed by earthquakes last year, to upgrade Rasuwagadhi, Kimathanka and Korala checkpoints. The prime minister found Kimathanka checkpoint of Sankhuwasabha the most favorable for the purpose as it could be operated throughout the year while the Korala checkpoint of Mustang may pose some altitude challenges as it lies at a height of 15,000 feet.
The two sides are also going to reach understandings on building cross-border transmission line in the northern side, carrying out second phase construction of Kathmandu Ring Road and developing 434-megawatt Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project with support from the Chinese government.
PM Oli, however, didn't mention anything as to whether or not any deal will be signed about importing fuel from China, which is arguably the most talked about issue in the public about his visit.
Members of the committee expressed their queries over the prime minister's silence on the matter.
"Why the prime minister didn't mention the matter of importing fuel from China? Why such an important issue wasn't included as an agenda item of the visit?" UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Shyam Shrestha asked. "Nepal should propose for signing an agreement that allows importing 30 percent fuel from China for now and as per Nepal's demand when it is in need."
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