Nepal's veteran communist politician K.P. Sharma Oli, returning as the country's prime minister this year for a fourth time, sought to kick-start infrastructure projects with Beijing this week amid a pivot away from India's sphere of influence.

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli waves alongside his wife Radhika Shakya before his departure, at the Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu on December 2, 2024. Photo:

Nepal's veteran communist politician K.P. Sharma Oli, returning as prime minister this year for a fourth time, aims to persuade Beijing to give new momentum to planned infrastructure projects during a days-long visit to China.

Nepal's prime minister was in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders, seeking to expand infrastructure cooperation after breaking with the longstanding tradition of new leaders making their first official visit to neighbouring India.

After years of little progress, the stakes are high for Nepal's new leader to show movement on getting planned infrastructure projects off the ground.Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli headed to Beijing on Monday as Nepal seeks a new framework for China- funded infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.