Favorable India-China bilateral paradigm beneficial for Nepal: Former Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala

Reporters Club: Former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala was pragmatic regarding the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. DPM Koirala who is also a Senior Leader of the Nepali Congress the main opposition party was speaking at a program organized at the Reporters Club, the former DPM stated “we are joyful and filled with hope that after 23 long years the President of China will be visiting Nepal. It signifies importance and we must welcome him with Nepali grandeur as it is an occasion that will take Nepal towards prosperity”.

Remembering her late father, who had close ties with China and her people, through interpersonal and partisan ties, late Prime Minister and popular leader Girija Prasad Koirala had said that “the amiability of India-China ties reflects upon the development of Nepal, and the deeper the ties are the better it is for us and the people of Asia. I have the same opinion” she said.

The Nepali Congress has age-old ties with China starting from its founder late Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala popularly known as B.P. Our ties grew stronger over the years, and our northern neighbor has always helped us in times of dire need. Similarly, the former DPM also spoke about how former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had visited China, led a delegation for inter-party ties.

We have hope that China will provide the necessary technological and scientific skills necessary for the prospects of cooperation and development. We are now extremely stable in our politics after the promulgation of the constitution and right now there is a majority government, so this visit is crucial toward envisioning development through strong policies that will economically transform our Nation and make us self-sufficient.

This is not the time to be involved in partisan politics but unite for a greater cause for our Nation, there are plans of developing railways which are of enormous significance toward connectivity. China is now economically sound, and changing times have demanded we look forward with optimism.

Similarly, there are other crucial areas where we can make new partnerships in terms of roadways, and border points, this was done during Late Chakra Bastola’s time when he was serving as the Foreign Minister, although it didn’t materialize well due to difficult situations times have changed. Our support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will guarantee investment opportunities for a sound future for Nepalese in the years to come.

We have a lot to learn from our northern neighbor, their expertise in infrastructure development, training of contractors and workers, and their ability for advancement has made them one of the largest powers in the global world. Let us take this opportunity with pragmatism and make the visit a grand success, said the former DPM.