KATHMANDU, Jan 19 : The first edition of One Belt One Road (OBOR)-Nepal Conference 2017 concluded in Kathmandu on Thursday, issuing an eight-point Kathmandu Declaration. The conference organized by the newly-established BP Koirala School of Public Policy (BPKSPP) was attended by experts from Nepal and China. 

The declaration has urged the governments of Nepal and China to play proactive roles in the establishment of people to people communication, and work together on the development of Nepal-China Economic Corridor. 

“A stable and prosperous Nepal will not only benefit China and India, but the entire South Asia. We seek active participation of countries from South Asia to play a role in integrating and enhancing the entire region,” read the declaration. 

The declaration also calls for active participation of China and India for turning the concept of trilateral cooperation into reality. “In the era of globalization, the mentality of zero-sum-game should be given up,” it said, arguing that the trilateral collaboration can turn Kathmandu into Brussels of South Asia.

While emphasizing the need of private sectors of the two countries to forge strategic partnership through the medium of trade, the declaration has urged Nepal and China to work for the development of Nepal-China Economic Corridor. “The geographical adversities should be challenged through the formation and close coordination of knowledge partners. We recommend establishment of institutions that connect people of the two nations for a shared prosperity,” it said.

The conference inaugurated by Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat was attended by Executive Director of South Asia Studies at Sichuan University Prof Li Tao, Deputy Director of Nepal Study Center (NSC) at Hebei University of Economics & Business (HUEB) Zhang Shubin, executive director of Institute of South Asian Studies at Xizang Minzu University Prof Di Fangyao. Likewise, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kazi Shrestha and former ambassador to the United Nations Dr Shambhu Ram Shimkhada and Chairman of  BPKSPP  Prem Raj Joshi also spoke on the occasion.

 
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