KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has clarified that the framework for Belt and Road Initiative agreement recently signed between the Government of Nepal and China has not mentioned the issue of obtaining loan anywhere.
Speaking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) before leaving for the Netherlands to present Nepal's views in the international hearing on climate change at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Minister Rana said the recent agreement is being superficially commented upon without a thorough study. “We have signed a cooperation-based project under the BRI which does not mention the issue of taking loan,” she said
She also clarified that the projects under the BRI agreement would be taken forward only with consent between both the countries. “The decision to take a loan will be done on the consent and request from the recipient country. If we don't need the loan, how can another party force us? Therefore, it is whimsical to say that the government has signed an agreement to take out loans.”
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Minister Rana said that Nepal has signed an agreement with China to construct projects on grants under the BRI framework agreement and that too is not on security or any other strategic affairs but under the 'Global Development Initiatives'.
Minister Rana said that she had also conveyed to the Chinese Foreign Minister that Nepal is not in a position to take loans at present. She said that only after they agreed on this issue, Nepal developed a cooperation framework under the BRI and signed it as per the agreement of both the sides. She added that under the BRI, Nepal has given priority to trade, air and land connectivity, infrastructure construction and financial assistance with China.
Minister Rana left for The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Saturday, leading a Nepali delegation to raise the issue of climate change impact in Nepal and the compensation Nepal should access. Nepal is going to present its position on the current situation of climate change and its impact in the country.
Minister Rana has been raising the issue of the impact of carbon emission by rich and developed countries as well as the compensation that Nepal is entitled to receive due to their higher share.
The delegation led by Minister Dr Rana comprises Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Raj Sapkota and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
