Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli (2L) waved alongside his wife Radhika Shakya (L) before departing for China at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Monday. AFP

On Monday, Nepal's Prime Minister embarked on his inaugural bilateral visit to China, breaking from the customary practice of Himalayan republic leaders prioritizing India for their first official trip. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who regained power in July following two previous premierships, is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and engage in discussions with Premier Li Qiang during his four-day journey.

"The prime minister will arrive this evening," stated Nepal foreign ministry spokesman Suvanga Parajuli in an interview with AFP. Oli has historically navigated a delicate balance between Nepal's two influential neighbors but has leaned towards Beijing in an effort to reduce his country's historical reliance on New Delhi.

"The leaders of the two countries will engage in comprehensive discussions on deepening our traditional friendship, expanding Belt and Road cooperation, and enhancing exchanges and collaboration in various sectors, as well as addressing international and regional issues of mutual concern," explained China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a recent press conference.

Pradeep Gyawali, the deputy secretary of Oli's Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), informed AFP that the talks would focus on existing investment agreements, including the recently completed construction of an international airport in Pokhara's tourist hub. There is speculation that the Chinese loan financing the project could be converted into a grant.

Nepali media outlets suggest that Oli's choice of Beijing as his first destination may be due to the lack of a formal invitation from New Delhi. Nepal is entirely surrounded by India and China, both of which exert significant influence in the Himalayan republic, though India holds a more substantial share of trade and sway.

According to customs data, India accounted for nearly 65% of Nepal's total trade in the 2023-24 fiscal year, while China's share was approximately 15%. However, Chinese companies dominate certain industries, such as holding a 70% share of Nepal's electric vehicle market. India leads in foreign investment in Nepal, contributing over $750 million last year, compared to China's investment of more than $250 million, as reported by Nepal's central bank.

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