Train to Kathmandu Is India Set to Beat China in Nepal Rail Race
A strategic competition between India and China is unfolding in the Himalayas as both Asian giants race to construct cross-border railway networks connecting to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. New Delhi is accelerating its proposed 141 km broad-gauge line linking Raxaul in Bihar to Kathmandu, designed to streamline trade, boost tourism, and reinforce regional integration. Concurrently, Beijing is advancing its ambitious 73 km trans-Himalayan standard-gauge rail link extending from Kerung in Tibet under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While China’s Kerung-Kathmandu route faces monumental engineering hurdles—including drilling through steep Himalayan terrain where over 98% of the track must run through underground tunnels—India’s Raxaul-Kathmandu project presents relatively manageable terrain and lower construction costs. Following detailed location surveys conducted by Indian rail authorities, New Delhi aims to leverage its logistical proximity, existing broad-gauge network, and expanding cross-border freight capabilities to secure a decisive lead in connecting Kathmandu to the South Asian railway grid.
