Nepal has embraced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious infrastructure and connectivity project, with great enthusiasm. While it didn’t specify the number or nature of projects, Nepal has proposed nine projects that it wants to develop under the BRI banner. News of China-supported infrastructure projects completing ahead of schedule, one after another, might be a wake up call for India. Nepal faces a massive trade deficit with India, giving the country a hard time managing macroeconomic stability. A better option for India is to forgo “either you are with us or not” approach and work with the Nepal government to expedite its own connectivity projects.

Source: Hindustan Times May 14, 2019 16:29 UTC