India May Be Ahead of China in Nepal Rail Race
What Happened
India launched the first direct container freight train containing 40 wagons to Nepal's Biratnagar and is advancing plans for the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway, while China's Kathmandu rail project remains at the study stage India is moving ahead with the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway while as per last available data China continues work on plans for a Kerung-Kathmandu rail link through Tibet under Belt and Road Initiative. However, latest status of China project is not available.
Key Takeaways
India's existing cross-border rail operations and faster project progress suggest it may be better positioned than China to deliver a rail connection to Kathmandu first.