China has committed to expanding the Xinghai - Shigatse railway to Kerung (Nepal) and then from there to Kathmandu and Pokhara to Lumbini, birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of China's Central Military Commission (Admiral of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China) and Bhim Rawal, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Nepal (formerly Minister of Home Affairs of Nepal) talked about the bilateral agreement done while Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China about expanding the Chinese Railways to Nepal.
Minister Rawal told Sun Jianguo that Nepal is expecting to expand the Kerung arriving railway to Lumbini via the route - Kathmandu and Pokhara and promote the ties of relationship too. "Admiral Sun Jianguo told that they are commented to extend the railway to Kerung, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini according to the agreement during Prime Minister Oli's visit to China", referring to the meeting source message came from Ministry of Defense.
"China has initiated a 'One Belt One Road' strategy to connect Nepal and neighbouring countries including Asia, Europe, and Africa by rail, road and sea through the infrastructure development to increase economic progress", minister Rawal told.
One of the parts of "One Belt One Road' strategy is an expansion of Railway to Nepal, said Mahesh Dahal, Defense Secretary.
The joint statement issued from Beijing mentioned that during Prime Minister's visit to China, Nepal proposed Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu and Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railway project, feasibility study and to prepare a detailed project report for the financial and technical assistance to team Nepal.
In December 2014, Nepal and China signed on the paper to participate in "One Belt One Road" strategy. The then Finance Secretary, Suman Sharma signed on the "Revival of the Sink Road Economic Belt" to participate on "One Belt One Road" strategy.
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