[4] As a landlocked country nestled against the backdrop of the Himalayas, Nepal has traditionally relied on India for its petroleum supplies, most of its medicines, and essential commodities.
In response, Chairman Mao assured him that China would construct the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa, with the eventual goal of extending it to Kathmandu.
[14][15] In 2016, during Oli's visit to China, the two countries signed a treaty on trade and transit, including a plan to build a high speed railway from Kathmandu to the Chinese border.
[18] The China-Nepal Railway was featured in the joint communiqué issued by the leaders during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in April 2019.
A Chinese pre-feasibility study proposed a tunnel under the Langtang National Park to avoid a steep gradient and building in the protected area.
An anonymous Nepalese top government official claimed that "the cross-country railway project with China is less likely to move forward unless the Chinese side expresses willingness to build it under a grant arrangement."
[25] The new Shigatse-Gyirong railway will mostly follow the route of China National Highway 318 after leaving Shigatse and pass through Lhatse, Sa'gya, Dinggyê, Tingri, and Nyalam.