Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed that Nepal has not entered into any loan agreements with its northern neighbor, China.

Speaking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his return from a four-day visit to China, Oli addressed the speculation surrounding loans.

“I have already stated publicly at Durbar Marg that Nepal is not seeking loans from any country at the moment, including China,” Oli said. “There have been no discussions or agreements regarding loans with China.”

He further clarified that discussions on implementing nine projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be conducted separately in the future.

“Each project under the BRI will be discussed and agreed upon individually between the two countries at the implementation stage,” Oli explained. “What we have received so far is not a loan. There have been no conversations about loans. Why is there persistent noise about loans? The BRI is not about taking loans.”