China wants Nepal to act as 'bridge' to India: Chinese FM

Kathmandu, Dec 26: Seeking a strategic foothold in the region, China today said it hopes Nepal becomes a "bridge" connecting the communist giant to India and South Asia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China is pleased to see a strong relationship between India and Nepal. Noting that it is beneficial for Nepal to have a strong relationship with India, Wang said, "We hope Nepal becomes a bridge for China to connect with India and South Asia," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Wang who is here on a three-day official visit met his Nepalese counterpart Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and extended an invitation to him to visit China.

He said China wants to see high level exchange of visits with Nepal to further strengthen relations, Foreign Ministry sources here said.

Wang also advised Pandey to work out the visits of Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to China at an appropriate time.

The Chinese Foreign Minister called on Yadav and Koirala and held discussion with senior leaders of major parties. During the meetings, Nepalese leaders reiterated their commitment that Nepal will not allow its soil to be used against its northern neighbour, the sources said.

China also wants to see early drafting of Nepal's Constitution that could pave the way for political stability and economic prosperity in the country.

"China wants Nepal to draft its new Constitution at the earliest by forging consensus, so that the country could move forward on the path of economic prosperity by attaining political stability," Pandey said.

PTI