'Nepal proposes opening 13 more border points with China'

Nepal has proposed opening 13 more border points with China to improve connectivity between the two countries, according to a media report.
China and Nepal have been stepping up efforts to improve road connectivity while speeding up plans to build a railway line connecting to Nepal's border after K P Sharma Oli, pro- China former Nepalese Prime Minister, signed a Transit Trade Treaty with Beijing last year during his tenure.
During a meeting with a Chinese team, Nepalese officials forwarded a proposal to open up 13 order points to ease the connectivity between the two countries. However, the talk ended inconclusively as the Chinese side did not agree to Nepal's proposition, Kathmandu Post reported.

"We could not reach any agreement with China during the discussion," an official was quoted as saying by the daily.
However, the Chinese side had indicated that they were "positive" on opening three border points in eastern region, the official said on condition of anonymity.
But no formal agreement was reached in the matter during the discussion.

"The Nepali side had proposed opening up nine more border points with China at a time when an agreement is already there to open up four border points," he said.
Earlier, Nepal and China had agreed to open border points at Yari, Kerung, Olangchungola and Tatopani, according to the officials.

The Tatopani border point has been closed since an earthquake hit Nepal in April, 2015.
Besides, Nepal also tabled a proposal on opening the border at nine more points, including Hilsa, Korola, Dolpa, Darchula, Taklakot, Olangchungola and Kimathanka.
'The Road and Transpiration Agreement' reached between the two countries in 1994 paved way for two countries to reach some kind of understanding in the matter.
The agreement facilitates opening up border points, movement of people and in some special cases, Nepal can use the Chinese highways for trade in certain parts that are not linked with road connectivity from the Nepali side.

The Nepalese side was led by Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Saroj Pradhan.