Experts from Nepal and China have stressed on the need to develop China-Nepal-India economic corridor under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by China.
At a seminar organized by China Study Center in Kathmandu Thursday, experts said that trilateral partnership between the three countries will greatly contribute to building mutual trust and cooperation between China and the entire South Asia region.
Executive Director at the Kathmandu School of Law Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula highlighted on the aspects of enhanced connectivity between China and South Asia under the "Belt and Road" Framework.
"Culturally, China and South Asia have interacted for very long time in the history and constitute one of the most important Silk Road systems in trade and communication. China's Tibet has developed convenient road and railway networks which can connect China with South Asia. It is a very high time to develop the China-Nepal-India Economic corridor for the mutual benefit between China and South Asia," he added.
Acting Chairman of China Study Centre Sundar Nath Bhattarai said that the prospect of realizing the initiative of trilateral cooperation between China, Nepal and India in the form of China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor is very much essential as per the changed context.
Professor Wang Yiwei, Director of Institute of International Affairs of Renmin University of China, said that the Belt and Road Initiative works for interconnection between the B&R member states promoting the policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond.
The professor was of the view that China, Nepal and India can jointly work to build the Belt and Road for achieving peace and economic prosperity in the entire South Asia region through developing physical infrastructures including cross-border road and railway connectivity.
Former Vice Chairman of Nepalese Planning Commission, Dr. Pitambar Sharma, said that promotion of the people to people relations under the Belt and Road Initiative should be given top most priority as well as setting up the development strategies to meet the aspirations of the people accordingly.
Nepalese Diplomat Dr. Shambhuram Simkhada said that Nepal should become a part of the Belt and Road Initiative and reap benefits from the rise of China.
"The One Belt One Road Initiative is one such ambitious mega project of connectivity and cooperation for a new world in a new age," he added.
The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.
