After nearly two decades, discussions have intensified regarding the resumption of the direct Kathmandu Lhasa bus service. This service was originally launched to promote tourism and trade between Nepal and China. A recent Nepal–China Commerce Secretary-level meeting held in China reached an agreement to revive the service.
The decision was made during the third meeting of the Nepal-China Coordination Mechanism on Border Trade and Cooperation. The meeting was held on January 20 and 21, 2026, in China. Both countries agreed to resume the Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service during this meeting.
Through the meeting, agreements were also reached on bilateral trade, customs facilitation, infrastructure development, and broader cooperation. The Nepali delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, while the Chinese side was led by Vice Chairman of the Xizang People’s Government, Zhao Peng.
After an 11-year wait following the transport agreement between Nepal and China, the Kathmandu–Lhasa bus service was officially launched on April 29, 2005 (16 Baisakh 2062). Although it was expected to add a new dimension to bilateral relations, the service could operate for only 10 months. Attempts to revive it in 2009 (2066 BS) and 2016 (2073 BS) remained limited to paperwork. However, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has now stated that preparations are underway to resume the service.
