Nepal: Activists protest at China-built Pokhara Airport, denounce BRI as intervention tool

Pokhara [Nepal], July 8 : A group of protestors comprising locals and activists protested in front of China-built Pokhara International Airport, denouncing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a tool to intervene in the Himalayan nation.
Over 200 people took part in the protest called by the Rashtriya Ekata Abhiyan or National Unity Movement, on Monday afternoon. The protest comes during the visit by a parliamentary committee to inspect and investigate claims of embezzlement at the time of construction of the airport which only operates domestic flights.

Rajendra Prasad Lingden, one of the members of the parliamentary committee met with the protestors at the site.
The protestors also organized a sit-in in front of the airport raising slogans demanding "Full operation of Pokhara International Airport", "Investigate the corruption during the construction of Pokhara International Airport", and "Convert the Chinese loan to grant" amongst others.
Binay Yadav, the chairman of the National Unity Movement, criticised China and alleged that the nation wants to capture the Pokhara International Airport. "China wants to capture the Pokhara International Airport as it did with the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka and Pakistan's Gwadar Port as this place has geological significance," Yadav said.
He added, "Nepal cannot pay back the pricy loans and interest. Embezzlement also needs to be investigated which were made during its construction."
The construction of Nepal's Pokhara airport, primarily funded and executed by Chinese companies, has raised concerns about the quality of work, the manipulation of oversight, and the burden of debt on Nepal.
Additionally, the airport's association with China's BRI has ignited diplomatic tensions with India, making it challenging for the airport to attract international flights.
The Pokhara airport serves as a stark example of the pitfalls associated with importing China's infrastructure development model, highlighting concerns about financial sustainability and transparency, all while fuelling geopolitical rivalries in the region.
On May 12, 2017, Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The then Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Shanker Das Bairagi and Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong had signed the MoU.
Notably, on June 27, the lawmakers from the Nepali Congress warned the government against BRI loans and proceeded forward without consultation during the parliamentary meeting.
Opposition lawmaker and former foreign minister Narayan Prakash Saud, while addressing the house session, warned the government not to take loans under the BRI of China. The former foreign minister rather suggested the government accept the grants but in line with the provisions that Nepal has with other countries.
"In regards to BRI, we should be clear that we should accept the grant like we have been doing with other countries. Talking about the loans, there are priorities that determine the need to take them; there should be potential plans, management of the finances, and a feasible market. Until and unless no feasible market has been ensured, big projects shouldn't be taken forward depending on the loans, if we move forward with it, then it would be a trap for ourselves," Saud said.
The former Foreign Minister also took a jibe at the government for recalling the ambassadors despite the dilute geopolitical situation and ongoing tension, claiming it has diluted the image of the nation. Lawmaker Saud also suggested the government make decisions about BRI only after holding consultations with the opposition and all the parties present in parliament.