“Due to time constraints, signing of a new comprehensive treaty between Nepal and China is unlikely during the prime minister´s visit," Suresh Man Pradhan, joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told myrepublica.com.
Pradhan added that "thorough discussions at the highest level" of the two countries are required for the treaty to be signed.
Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Shan Yiduo said, "Time is not enough to sign a new treaty."
Another source at the Chinese Embassy said, "No progress has been made toward the signing of a new bilateral treaty as much homework is still left to be carried out from both sides," the source said. The source added that nothing has been confirmed including the date and agenda.
According to the source, Nepali side has not given any response over the draft of a comprehensive treaty handed over to the Nepal government by a Chinese special envoy in February.
During bilateral talks with Nepali officials in February, a Chinese delegation led by Assistant Minister Hu Zhengyue had handed over the draft of a new Nepal-China Peace and Friendship Treaty. Pradhan had told reporters then that "Nepal is studying the draft," after a meeting with the parliamentary National Interest Preservation Committee. The treaty was meant to replace the Nepal-China Treaty signed in 1960.
China has since sent two delegations to Nepal. Liu Jieyi, China’s assistant foreign minister, came to Kathmandu on February 25 for a three-day visit during which he met the prime minister, the foreign minister and leaders of the major political parties. Beijing also sent a six-member delegation of the ruling Communist Party of China headed by vice-minister at its international department Liu Hongcai on a four-day visit to Nepal earlier in February.
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