On April 25, 2024, the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF), Nepal, successfully organized a national seminar on “Reflecting on BRI: Experiences and Lessons from South Asia” at the Everest Hotel in Kathmandu. The seminar brought together experts from South Asia and over a hundred participants, including policymakers, politicians, analysts, academics, diplomats, bureaucrats, and journalists.
The seminar featured two keynote speeches, four country-specific presentations on BRI’s experiences and perceptions, and two panel discussions, which aimed to navigate the opportunities and challenges of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Lawmaker Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat urged uniform standards for development and economic cooperation in his keynote. Raj Kishor Yadav, Chairman of the International Relations and Tourism Committee, called for broader BRI discussions. Anil Giri from Kathmandu Post highlighted BRI’s issues for Nepal, noting ambiguous "policy exchange" and "financial integration" conditions. Economist Talal Rafi from Sri Lanka critiqued BRI’s transparency, planning, and environmental issues. Mostakim Bin Motaher from Bangladesh discussed the recent surge in China’s BRI engagement in Bangladesh.Dr. Constantino Xavier, a Fellow at the Centre of Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Delhi, explored India's decision to avoid the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), its impact on relations with neighboring countries participating in BRI, and the lessons Nepal might draw from India's experiences.
Panel I brought together Nepali experts to probe into current developments and Nepal’s concerns on BRI negotiation. It hosted Amb. Madhu Raman Acharya, Mr. Rameshore Khanal, Mr. Akhilesh Upadhyay, and Mr. Amish Mulmi. The session was moderated by Amb. Vijaya Kant Karna.
The second panel discussed the experiences and lessons for Nepal from the neighboring countries’ journey. It hosted Dr. Bishwo Poudel, Mr. Talal Rafi, Mr. Mostakim Bin Motaher, and Dr. Constantino Xavier. Mr. Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, CESIF’s Research Director, moderated the session.
