Tianjin. Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, has made it clear that he has objected to the agreement reached between China and India to make Lipulekh a trade route.

During the meeting held at the Tiananmen State Guest House soon after arriving here today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit to be held in Tianjin city, Prime Minister Oli clearly objected to the agreement reached between China and India on the issue of making Lipulek, an integral part of sovereign Nepal, a trade route, according to Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amrit Bahadur Rai.

“According to the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, it is clear that all the territories east of Mahakali belong to the sovereign country Nepal. “Nepal believes that China will help Nepal in this matter,” PM Oli had told President Xi, adding, “Just as Nepal is clear about not allowing its territory to be used against any country, it also disagrees with the agreement that other countries will make on its role.” In response to Nepal’s statement, President Xi did not have any difference of opinion on Nepal’s stand (claim) and wanted the conclusion to be reached through discussions between Nepal and India, foreign secretary Rai said.

During the cordial and bilateral meeting, it was agreed that the mechanisms of the two countries would move forward to enhance relations and cooperation by holding talks in various areas of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, he added.

This is Prime Minister Oli’s fourth official visit to China as prime minister and the second visit to China in the English year. Pm Oli’s Economic and Development Advisor Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada shared that discussions were also held on expediting the projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and which would contribute to nepal’s socio-economic prosperity. According to him, China is positive about opening more border points between China and India and is also ready to help in producing quality and commercial agriculture to increase Nepal’s exports. The Chinese side has also made it clear that China is always committed to support Prime Minister Oli’s resolve to make Nepal land-locked.

Former Deputy Prime Minister and member of the House of Representatives Purna Bahadur Khadka, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghuji Panta, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, former Minister and Prime Minister’s Economic and Development Advisor Dr Khatiwada, former Minister and Member of The House of Representatives ChhabiLal Bishwakarma and Secretary Rai, Nepali Ambassador to China Dr Krishna Prasad Oli and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song were present on the occasion.

Pm Oli will also meet Chinese Vice President Han Chang in Beijing. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the summit.