Dahal calls for early finalization of project proposals under BRI

Kathmandu, Sep 16 (IANS) Co-chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party Pushpa Kamal Dahal called for early finalization of project proposals so that they can be developed in Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Addressing an event here on Sunday, Dahal was of the view that the BRI will contribute to Nepal's socio-economic development, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The Belt and Road Initiative seeks to enhance collective economic development, rail-road connectivity and harmonious relationship among countries that are part of it. Many countries have already executed projects under the BRI and reaping benefit from it," Dahal said.

He said that Nepal can reap benefit from the BRI as a participating country. "Therefore, we have to finalize the project proposals to be developed under the BRI as early as possible," he said.

Dahal, who is also the former prime minister, said that Nepal joined the Belt and Road Initiative in May 2017, hoping that the initiative would contribute to the country's economic development by enhancing the rail-road connectivity.

Dahal said that the BRI does not think about forging any military alliance. "The BRI does not seek to establish military alliance, but it seeks for mutual harmony between the participating countries," he said.

The BRI seeks to promote win-win cooperation and share prosperity between the participating countries, he added.

"Those countries that are part of the BRI can identify projects based on their national priorities on their own," he said.

Dahal also called for forging trilateral cooperation between China, Nepal and India for the benefit of the three countries.

Nepal wants to reap benefit from the rise of neighboring countries like China and India, he said.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that the government is working to finalize various connectivity and infrastructure projects to be built under the BRI framework.