Nepal joining China's B&R initiative a milestone, says Oli

Nepal's former prime minister K P Sharma Oli, who last year blamed India for his fall, said today that the deal signed with China for the Belt and Road initiative was a milestone and would take bilateral ties to a new level.
Oli, the chairman of Nepal's main opposition party CPN- UML, described as historic the agreement Nepal signed to join the ambitious initiative that aims to link China with African and European markets through a maze of road, rail and port projects in Asian countries.
He said the initiative, first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, "will not only serve the interest of China but it will also open a new door for economic prosperity for Nepal and other neighbouring countries."

Oli was addressing an event on the B&R initiative in Kathmandu organised by the International Concern Centre.
Recalling his participation in a programme on the initiative as prime minister, Oli said with the signing of the agreement Nepal-China relations have reached a new height.
Nepal government should take concrete steps to materialise the Belt and Road initiative, he said.

Oli, who became the prime minister of Nepal in October 2015, resigned in August last year blaming India for his fall.
He had then alleged that India was behind the months-long agitation by the Madhesis, who are of Indian-origin and were demanding amendments to the new Constitution for more representation, that led to his resignation.

Also speaking at the event today, Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat said the B&R initiative would benefit Nepal on multiple fronts by expanding the road and railway networks.
Chinese investment would increase in Nepal through the implementation of this project.