Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returned home on Wednesday night after completing a five-day official visit to China. He had traveled to Tianjin on Bhadra 14 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

Lipulekh Issue Raised with Xi

During his talks with President Xi, Prime Minister Oli strongly raised Nepal’s objection to the India-China agreement allowing trade through the Lipulekh Pass without Nepal’s consent. According to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, Oli emphasized that Lipulekh is Nepal’s territory and urged China to acknowledge Nepal’s position.

Meetings with World Leaders

Prime Minister Oli also held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, inviting him to visit Nepal. In return, Putin extended an invitation for Oli to visit Russia. Addressing the SCO Summit, Oli called for Nepal’s full membership in the organization and expressed confidence that projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would soon move forward with China’s support.

Participation in Victory Day Parade

While in Beijing, Oli attended the 80th Victory Day celebrations and a military parade marking the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Strengthened Ties and Future Prospects

Foreign Secretary Rai stated that the visit has further consolidated Nepal-China relations, reinforced Nepal’s stance on the Lipulekh issue, and enhanced the prospect of Nepal’s full SCO membership.

Prime Minister Oli was accompanied by his wife, Radhika Shakya, Education Minister Raghuji Pant, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, Nepali Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka, and other high-ranking officials.