GDI after China promotes Nepal's silence on BRI

The 15th meeting of the Foreign Secretary-level bilateral diplomatic consultation mechanism between Nepal and China was held at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Friday. In the meeting, emphasis on the timely implementation of Chinese investment projects, silence on BRI, and discussions on GDI were concluded, Pardafas reported.

After Nepal did not take any official interest in China’s ambitious project Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the military alliance Global Security Initiative (GSI), it has put forward a plan to expand its influence in Nepal through the Global Development Initiative (GDI) launched by President Xi Jinping. Which is taken positively by Nepal as a humanitarian aid and development program. China informed the Nepali side about the importance of GDI in the meeting on Friday. After the meeting, in a statement released by the Nepali Embassy on Friday evening, Nepal requested China to facilitate the export of Nepali products to China. The Chinese side has promised to provide all possible support for the development and prosperity of Nepal, Pardafas reported.

In the statement issued by the embassy, there is no mention of whether or not the issue of BRI was discussed. It is mentioned that both sides have agreed to implement the Chinese grant projects in Nepal promptly.