No loan agreements during upcoming China visit: PM Oli

Kathmandu, November 25 — Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has clarified that no loan-related agreements will be signed during his upcoming official visit to China starting from December 2.

In a discussion with former Prime Ministers and former Foreign Ministers on Monday regarding the upcoming China visit, Prime Minister Oli stated that there is no plan to sign any agreements related to the BRI projects, and the current debate over whether to take loans from China or not is not an issue at this moment.

"We can take loans or grants from any country or institution based on national interest if needed. We should not indulge in unnecessary rumors that loans are being taken to trap us in debt," the Prime Minister said during the discussion. "China and Nepal share a long and friendly relationship. This visit aims to further deepen the multifaceted friendship between the two countries."

During the conversation, Prime Minister Oli emphasized that no matter which country he visits, Nepal's sovereignty, independence, and national interest will always be the top priority, alongside international relations. "That is why this visit will be successful. There is no reason to create confusion about a dispute between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) over the visit," the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Oli assured that the visit will focus on world peace and Nepal's interests. He encouraged confidence, saying that the visit will aim for the effective implementation of past agreements, expansion of transmission lines, exporting Nepal's products to China, and other forms of cooperation.

Oli also clarified that Nepal shares friendly relations with its other neighbor, India, and emphasized that the benefits of these friendly relations should be leveraged for Nepal's economic development. He pointed out that the decision on which country the head of Nepal's government should visit first depends on the country's needs and the decision-making process, and such matters should not be used as "cards" against any nation.

In the discussion, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" stated that when he previously visited China, he had broken the tradition, and he clarified that his aim was not to play the "China card," but rather to avoid using any political instability of the country as a political tool.

Prachanda stressed the need for the effective implementation of agreements with China during his tenure as Prime Minister. Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba mentioned that the two major parties in the ruling coalition are working on the agenda for the China visit and that the Prime Minister will finalize all the points soon. She further clarified that there is no dispute between the two parties on this matter.

Former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba did not participate in the meeting as he is outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Former Prime Ministers Jhala Nath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, former Chair of the Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi, former Foreign Ministers Ishwar Pokharel, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, NP Saud, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, and Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal, among others, participated in the discussion.