Railway can drive Nepal's BRI programs to new height

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding on China-Nepal cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the recent deal on BRI framework agreement for project implementation, Nepal is expected to make a major headway in the implementation of the initiative.

Amid several ups and downs including some obscurities, internal political instability and geopolitics, there was some delay in materializing of Belt and Road projects in Nepal, though the two sides agreed in 2018 to intensify the implementation of the MoU on BRI cooperation to enhance connectivity, encompassing vital components such as ports, roads, railways, aviation and communications within the overarching framework of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

Facing huge infrastructure gaps, Nepal needs the support of neighboring countries, the international community and development partners to develop its infrastructure, and attracting foreign direct investment could be an apt way of achieving that goal. This is crucial because Nepal's aim is to upgrade its economic status from a least-developed country by 2026 and meet the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, Nepal hopes to attract Chinese investment and Chinese official grants in several sectors.