Two days before embarking on a weeklong official visit of China, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday said Nepal would not play any neighbouring country against another.

Briefing the parliamentary International Relations and Labour Committee on his trip of the northern neighbour scheduled to start on Sunday, PM Oli reiterated his commitment to maintaining balanced relations with both of Nepal’s immediate neighbours—India and China, with focus on the country’s socio-economic development.

The PM outlined minimising trade deficit and developing self-dependence by promoting domestic products as his agendas. “I will sign agreements as per your wish to promote patriotism and national development because I was elected by you,” Oli told the parliamentarians.

He said he would make efforts to seek the landlocked country’s access to the sea through “all available routes”. In India, the PM signed an agreement for using the Visakhapatnam port for Nepal’s international trade. Oli plans to sign a trade and transit treaty also with China.

Seeking resumption of the Tatopani point, expansion of Rasuwagadhi highway, and opening other routes to China are also on the agenda. Chinese aid for hydropower projects would also be sought.