quick to assert that a railway line will connect Kathmandu to the Tibet Autonomous Region ( TAR ) “ within his lifetime .” Prachanda also affirmed that the railway will be later extended to Lumbini and Pokhara . It will be “ a milestone in Nepal ’ s economic development and growth of the tourism sector ”, he said .
The Government of Nepal had announced earlier that technical studies for the construction of railway lines linking Nepal with India and China have been completed . Bhandari specifically told the Parliament : “ The Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railways will be started within two years .” Rasuwa is the border post town with Tibet ( Kyirong ). The line between Shigatse and Kyirong was much delayed due to the 2015 earthquake but now it is expected to be completed by 2023 .
In May 2017 , Beijing had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu for roads , railways , ports and aviation as well as hydropower and energy projects , finance and tourism as part of the Belt and Road Initiative .
Xi assured Bhandari of China ’ s support to make a “ Prosperous Nepal , Happy
Nepali .” Before returning to Kathmandu , the Nepali President spent a day in Lhasa ; the main purpose of the visit was re-emphasising Nepal ’ s commitment to the “ One China ” policy .
As the Japanese newspaper The Nikkei wrote , “ The price is paid in diplomatic support for Beijing : The Nepalese consulate in Lhasa , the only foreign diplomatic mission in the Tibetan capital , recently reiterated unwavering support for Beijing ’ s claims to both Tibet and Taiwan .”
Incidentally , India had a full-fledged mission in Lhasa till 1952 and a Consulate- General till 1962 . Today , Beijing adamantly refuses to reopen it , wanting India to go through Nepal authorities for transborder trade . Examples abound to show the ongoing love story . Nepal has chosen a railway track gauge used by China as standard for its network ; Kathmandu justifies the choice by the lower Chinese costs . The move is a serious setback for Delhi , which has failed to limit Beijing ’ s control over Nepal .
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth told Reuters that his Government will ask India to use the Chinese gauge : “ Standard gauge is less expensive ,” was the rationale .
Even Nepal ’ s borders with Tibet are looked after by Beijing . According to The Kathmandu
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