Prachanda assures China of implementing key bilateral deals

Nepal's Maoist chief Prachanda today assured China of implementing key bilateral deals, including one that could end India's monopoly in transport to the landlocked country, reached during the previous regime would be honoured even after the new government takes over.
Chinese Ambassador Wu Chuntai during talks with the Nepalese leader, who is set to succeed K P Oli as the Prime Minister, in response, committed Beijing's 'full support' to the new government and Prachanda's leadership.
61-year-old Prachanda, known for his anti-India stance, took the ownership of implementing the deals reached during Oli's regime, saying they were made by the coalition government that included the Maoists also.

He added that the Nepal-China agreements were in fact outcome of the agreement made by the government that he led earlier, according to a statement by Prachanda's secretariat.
During the meeting held at the Maoist leader's residence here, the CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman said a new government would be formed within the next few days and expressed his commitment to implement the pacts signed with China by the previous government.
He also said that the soon-to-be-formed government would prioritise the implementation of the new constitution, reconstruction, and development projects.

The new government would not only implement the agreements but also make new ones with China, it said.

Chuntai pledged full support of the Chinese government, Chinese Communist Party and Chinese people to the new government.
He said the Chinese government would lend 'full support' and backing for Nepal's development through the coming government.
In March, the two countries signed 10 agreements, including a landmark transit treaty to end the land-locked country's total dependence on India. China has also agreed to extend the strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal to boost connectivity.
China's strong backing to Nepal had come in the backdrop of a chill in its relations with India following the months- long crippling blockade by Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, who are demanding amendments to the newly-enacted Constitution to ensure adequate political representation and reorganisation of the federal boundaries.