In what appears to be a strong message to India, Nepal’s prime minister-in-waiting KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday made a surprise visit to our country’s border with China in Rasuwagadhi and inspected the only trade and transit point between the Nepal and China.
The motive for the visit remains unknown, but it may be an indication that this incoming government to be headed by the CPN-UML chairman is likely to tilt towards Beijing and seek support for larger connectivity projects including road and railways.
The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point would be upgraded to international standards, Oli said during the visit described by Nepali media as “sudden” and surprising to many. “We will bring the Chinese rail through this border point,” he added. “Given the difficult terrain, we will construct cable cars across the border so that cross-border movement can be eased.”
China has already announced plans to develop Rasuwagadhi -Kerung into an international border crossing, calling it a gateway to South Asia.