Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of Chinese investment in Nepalese infrastructure projects for regional (a) security and (b) stability.

China is a longstanding and major source of investment and aid to Nepal, including in the energy and tourism sectors. We recognise there is need to increase resilience and ensure that countries have a choice of investment and development partnerships. We are working with partners to ensure a range of countries in South Asia, including Nepal, have alternatives to a strategic dependence on China or any other country. British International Investment has invested over $100m in Nepal, within their broader South Asia portfolio, which will create jobs and boost economic growth and stability.