Oli Returns from China; Parliament Raises Questions Over GSI Claim

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has returned home on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, after completing a five-day visit to China from August 20 to August 24, 2025, during which he participated in the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. At the SCO+ meeting held on August 21–22, he addressed attending delegates.

Following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming that Nepal had extended support to the Global Security Initiative (GSI)—China’s security strategy—sparking controversy. The official press release issued by Nepal omitted any mention of GSI. Nepali officials have denied that any such discussion took place between the leaders, calling the Chinese claim false.

At Tribhuvan International Airport, under media questioning, Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai clarified that Nepal supports only the Global Development Initiative (GDI), not the GSI. He emphasized, “We have made ourselves clear—government policy remains unchanged.”

Rai highlighted that Nepal’s participation in the SCO summit served its national interests. He also informed that during the meeting with President Xi, Prime Minister Oli raised concerns regarding an understanding between India and China to utilize the Lipulekh pass for trade, requesting Xi not to implement it.

Additionally, Oli held bilateral meetings with several leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, to whom he extended an invitation to visit Nepal. Their discussions covered expanding cooperation on trade, investment, education, culture, and air connectivity. He also met with the presidents of Laos and Maldives, and the prime ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia. On August 23, Oli traveled to Beijing and held talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on enhancing Nepal–China relations.

Back in Nepal, the GSI claim triggered a strong parliamentary response. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Nepali Congress MP Dilendra Prasad Badu demanded clarification from the government on why the Chinese statement included GSI support when no discussion occurred. He called on the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain.

Badu also expressed dissatisfaction with President Xi’s response on the border dispute involving Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, stating that the western border of Darchula remains a tri-junction area involving India and China. He urged trilateral cooperation to resolve the dispute.

Similarly, Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist) MP Prakash Jwala demanded the government issue an official statement clarifying the true position on GSI, noting Nepal’s non-aligned foreign policy prohibits alignment with any military strategy.

Maoist MP Lekhnath Dahal argued that foreign policy decisions should reflect a collective stance—not individual decisions. He called on the Prime Minister to address parliament directly, stating that both the government and parliament must jointly oppose any India–China understanding over the Lipulekh trade route.