As Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal prepares to leave for China next week, all eyes are on the possible Chinese takeaways from the visit.

Informed sources, however, told the Post that there is not much to expect, as it is unlikely that Nepal will sign a deal on Nepal becoming part of One, Belt One Road initiative and protocol on the Transit Transportation Agreement (TTA), with China during the visit.

One Belt, One Road is China’s landmark programme to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects including railways, ports and power grids across Asia, Africa and Europe. The TTA was signed in March last year during then prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to Beijing, as per which Nepal can utilise Chinese ports and land routes for third-country trade. A protocol on the TTA is, however, yet to be signed.

PM Dahal is scheduled to leave for China on March 23 to take part in Boao Forum for Asia. An invitation for the same was received by PM Dahal on Thursday, and preparations are underway for his visit to Beijing as well, said officials. PM Dahal’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are yet to be fixed.

Officials in touch with the Chinese side told the Post that Nepal has already forwarded its comments on OBOR, but is still to get a response.

While the Nepali side is weighing geo-political sensitivity, there is lack of preparations on the part of Kathmandu regarding Nepal becoming part of OBOR, officials said.

The Chinese side is learnt to have sought to see Nepal’s participation in the OBOR summit proposed for May 14 and 15. However, the participation is unlikely given the local level elections which have been declared for May 14.

But some understandings and pacts related to strategic matters are on the cards.

Officials said most of the discussions will take place around agreements and understandings that were reached during former prime minister Oli’s visit to China last year. Some new agreements are under consideration, they said.

Agreements on expansion of cross-border transmission line between Nepal and China, a detailed project report for construction of railways from Nepal-China border to Pokhara and Lumbini via Kathmandu and construction of special economic zones are likely to be signed during the visit. No deal is likely on construction of petroleum reservoirs in seven provinces with the help of China, for which Nepal has already made a request.

Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat on Thursday held a meeting with two dozen government secretaries to discuss possible memorandums of understanding that could be signed with the northern neighbour. According to officials, PM Dahal will visit Beijing once his engagements at Boao Forum for Asia are over on March 25.