Kathmandu. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta have inspected the Korala border checkpoint in Upper Mustang. The two ministers, who arrived to inspect the condition of the border posts and infrastructure, mentioned that discussions on the establishment of border checkpoints would be taken forward.

Urging for promotion of trade when the Korala checkpoint starts operating, the ministers stated that the Government of Nepal would immediately take initiative to allow functioning of the checkpoint. Gyawali also added that necessary discussions would be held to aid the process. Bhatta expressed that the operation of the Korala checkpoint was of great importance for trade purposes in further improving Nepal-China trade relations.

The two ministers commuted to the checkpoint from Kathmandu by helicopter. They were accompanied by the secretaries for Foreign Affairs and Industry ministries. The ministers also expressed interest in the progress of the Kaligandaki Corridor, a project of national pride under construction connecting Nepal and China.

According to Mustang Chief District Officer Hiradevi Poudel, the two ministers inspected the Korala checkpoint and also visited Mustang for on-site study on how to develop the bilateral trade checkpoint between Nepal and China. Member of Parliament Prem Prasad Tulachan demanded the ministers to move ahead with the process immediately as he opined that the government was delaying the construction at the border.