‘China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor: A prosperity propellant’

Kathmandu / Aug 10: Experts on foreign affairs and development from Nepal and China have said the China-Nepal-India economic corridor could help propel prosperity in the region.

They expressed such view during a talk programme organized jointly by Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA), and China Study Centre (CSC) in the capital on Wednesday. There is huge prospect that China-Nepal-India economic corridor could be constructed based on the one belt one road concept forwarded by China for the regional development and prosperity, they said adding that the three countries should be equal partners for this.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Convenor of the Eminent Persons’ Groups, Bheikh Bahadur Thapa said, “The corridor would be very beneficial to Nepal, located between the two giant economies. It will be backbone of economic prosperity. But for this, a trilateral agreement is first need.” The days of Asian leadership across the globe are not far now, he said, adding that the cooperation and unity in the people and government levels in the three countries could help materialize the China-Nepal-India corridor.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Wu Chuntai, said the Himalaya would not be the obstruction at all on the three country corridor, as there were the trades even in the past between the three countries. China always wishes sustainable peace, progress, and political stability in Nepal, and was ready to extend assistance for generating capital and technology for development.

He further said neither India nor Nepal has showed reservation to the construction of economic corridor. China has very cordial relations with Delhi and Kathmandu governments and people, he argued.

Similarly, President of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Professor Dr Ji Zhiye, said China’s one belt one road concept was aimed at establishing regional peace, stability and prosperity. “China’s intention is clear – the sustainable development of neighbours,” he said adding that time has come to materialize the China-Nepal-India road.

President of Nepal Council of World Affairs, Dr Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha said the progress in China has been an inspiring factor for both Nepal and India, so the three-country economic corridor would be very beneficial to augment the economic activities in the region.

Acting Chairman of the China Study Centre, Sundarnath Bhattarai said it was the need of hour for all three countries to materialize the China-Nepal-India economic corridor as it was the equally advantageous to the three countries.

Various persons including former Chief Secretary Leelamani Poudyal, legal practitioner Dr Yuvraj Sangraula, former ambassador Hiranya Lal Shrestha presented working papers at the programme. RSS