KATHMANDU, Oct 27: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is planning an official visit to China between mid-November and mid-December. According to a high-level source at the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaged in laying the groundwork for the proposed visit as the government completes its first 100 days in office.
This will be Oli’s first visit to the immediate northern neighbour since taking office in mid-July, his fourth tenure as Prime Minister. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last month, Prime Minister Oli met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended an in-person invitation for Modi to visit Nepal. With Modi unlikely to visit Nepal soon and Oli yet to plan an immediate visit to India, preparations have begun for a visit to the northern neighbor, China.
“There is a possibility that the Prime Minister's visit to China will take place within November, although the dates have yet to be finalized,” a source stated. According to the source, the Nepali Embassy in China is coordinating the visit. “Preparations are underway to make the visit fruitful and productive,” the source added. A month after the government was formed, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba paid a courtesy call on Indian Prime Minister Modi in Delhi on August 19, during which she extended him Prime Minister Oli’s invitation to visit Nepal.
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During Prime Minister Oli's trip to the UNGA on September 22, he held a half-hour meeting with Modi in New York, where Oli extended an invitation for Modi to visit Nepal. Shortly afterward, receiving indications of a possible religious visit by Modi, the Nepali government began making preparations. Upon learning of Modi’s interest in visiting Swargadwari in Pyuthan, a new helipad was built there in addition to the existing one. "Two helipads were built in case Modi visited Swargadwari, but it appears he won't be coming soon," an official from the Prime Minister's Office stated.
After the formation of Oli government, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Nepal. During his visit, it was reported that Modi expressed his desire to undertake a religious visit to Nepal. Only after Foreign Secretary Misri's visit did Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba make an official trip to India. During that meeting, Minister Rana also handed over Prime Minister Oli’s invitation to Modi for a visit to Nepal. Diplomats familiar with Indian affairs indicate that there is currently no immediate possibility for Modi to visit Nepal.
During Prime Minister Oli’s UNGA visit, he had a sideline meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on September 27 in New York. No discussion was held regarding Oli’s visit to China in that meeting. Amidst uncertainties surrounding his visit to India, Prime Minister Oli is learned to have consulted with diplomats and foreign policy experts before instructing the foreign ministry to initiate preparations for his trip to China. "The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has been unofficially informed about the Prime Minister's interest to visit Beijing. The Chinese side has indicated that a visit might be possible sometime in November. However, there has been no indication yet of availability from top leaders in China," the source said.
During his June 2018 visit to China as prime minister, Oli achieved significant milestones, including signing an agreement on the Kerung-Kathmandu railway project. Additionally, Nepal and China also signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Belt and Road Initiative, addressing key aspects of connectivity, including ports, roads, railways, aviation, and information, expanding these under the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network.
The memorandum included commitments to promote all areas outlined according to practical standards, ease Nepal's laws and policies to attract more Chinese investment in infrastructure and other productive sectors, create a conducive investment environment by simplifying applications, land, tax, and visa processes, and establish a favorable business environment for Chinese companies.
The Nepali side expects that the issues mentioned during the previous visit will move forward with implementation following Prime Minister Oli's upcoming trip to China.
