Will work with India, China for development: Nepal PM Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Friday said that the Nepal has two neighbours - India and China and would be working with them for the country's development.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Oli said, "We (Nepal) have two neighbours. They (India and China) are more developed and advanced than us. They (India and China) are also bigger than us, both in terms of size and population. We (Nepal) are geographically located in the centre. We (Nepal) will work with the neighbours for ensuring development and stability."

The Nepal Prime Minister further said that he was taking the visit to India as an opportunity to work with New Delhi and Beijing and develop a feeling of understanding, trust and mutual cooperation.

Answering questions on India's apprehensions regarding Nepal's participation in OBOR (China's One Belt One Road Initiative), Oli said, "I think we are neutral."

On being asked about why he had chosen India over China for his maiden foreign visit after assuming the post in February, Oli added, "India invited me and so I visited India."

Further, he said that friendship was more important than signing agreements. These comments came ahead of the delegation-level talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi tomorrow.

Earlier on Friday, Oli arrived in India on a three-day state visit. The visiting dignitary was received by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State (MoS) Finance S.P. Shukla.

The Nepal Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife Radhika Shakya and an entourage of ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), secretaries and other high-ranking officials of the Nepal Government.

Oli addressed a gathering with the Nepali business community of both the countries on Friday at the Embassy of India. He then met Prime Minister Modi and held informal talks.

On Saturday, Oli will attend a ceremonial reception and inspect a guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan will meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu. He will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

He will then hold official delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi and exchange views on matters of mutual interests.

The Nepal Prime Minister will also visit Pantnagar in Uttarakhand and attend a programme organised at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology.