Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Nepal's ambitious Pokhara International Airport, while intended to bolster the nation's connectivity and economy, is increasingly perceived as a disaster. According to a report by TOI, the airport project has imposed substantial financial burdens on Nepal, raising concerns about the nation's ability to service its debts to Chinese creditors for years to come
The plight of Pokhara International Airport finds intriguing parallels with Pakistan's Gwadar Port, a colossal project constructed under the aegis of China's Belt and Road initiative (BRI). Like Gwadar, Pokhara's grand ambitions have struggled to attract the expected investment and instead, have left Nepal facing daunting debt obligations
The overall estimated cost of constructing the airport reached around $305 million. Of this sum, the Export-Import Bank of China provided the biggest share, contributing $215 million in loans. Additional financial support came from the Asian Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development
Despite being inaugurated approximately six months ago, the airport's first international flight, originating from Sichuan, China, was a charter, funded by Beijing and transporting athletes and Chinese officials participating in a goodwill dragon boat race. Early estimates by Chinese authorities anticipated approximately 280,000 international passengers traveling through the airport by 2025. However, at present, the airport is yet to host any regular international flights
A significant challenge looms over Nepal as the nation must prepare to begin repaying its Chinese lender in 2026. The airport currently lacks the passenger numbers necessary to cover the ensuing financial obligations
Despite China's claims that the Pokhara Airport is a part of the BRI, Nepal has publicly rejected these assertions. Nepal's Foreign Minister NP Saud emphasised that the project remains under discussion and has not yet been executed as part of the BRI
China's overseas development projects have faced criticism for being expensive yet occasionally plagued by subpar construction quality. This situation often places borrowing nations in a precarious position, saddled with excessive debt
The history of the Pokhara Airport dates back to 1976 when Nepal acquired the land for the project. Nonetheless, a series of obstacles, including political turbulence, bureaucratic hurdles, and financial constraints, impeded its progress until 2013
Beyond the airport's immediate infrastructure, it plays a part in China's broader aspirations to establish its sphere of influence in the region. Located near India, Nepal holds strategic significance in China's pursuit of a regional power balance