China and Nepal agreed on Aug. 16 to boost bilateral cooperation, especially under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative , to further strengthen friendly ties between the two countries, Xinhuanet reported. At a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari expressed appreciation for China's assistance in Nepal's national development and post-disaster reconstruction following the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu. The visit and subsequent deal are important because they involve another country in China and India's continuing competition for influence (landlocked Nepal shares borders with both countries) at a time when the two are facing off in neighboring Bhutan .