Silk route, of the past, was a historic trade route that dated from 6th century BC to 14th century AD, and stretched from Asia, to the Mediterranean, traversing through countries like China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greece and Italy, to name a few. It got its name due to the heavy export of silk from China— which, at that time, held monopoly over the silk production and sales— through the Silk Route. However, Silk was not the only thing that was traded through the Silk Route and the things that were traded, made a huge impact on the western civilization.

Contrary to popular belief, silk route was not just a single road, but a network of many trade routes that ran through land, as well as the sea. At the time when travel was not facilitated and very risky— to say the very least— silk route provided a relatively safe and easy path to distribute the native goods, which also helped a lot to improve the relationship among China, Europe, Middle East and Far East. The inns and market places, which were typically spaced one day's travel apart, serviced the traders and their chosen mode of travel— caravans of camels or horses— who were weary after their long day of travel and wanted rest and also, facilitated for the trade of the goods. The travelers traveling though the maritime route, too, were not unfacilitated and could stop at ports for fresh water and trading opportunities.

Aside from silk, various other products of native origin were traded through silk route. Various types of fabrics, fruits and vegetables, spices, animal hides, wood and metal work, glass, precious stones and other items which were of value at the time, were traded to different parts of the world from the countries of their origin. The route also facilitated the spread of religion and culture in the countries it passed though. The West was hugely impacted by the silk route, and got access to many of the commodities that had their roots in China, such as paper and gunpowder, each of which lead to the development of new technology in their respective area of usage.

Silk route held a lot of significance in the past world, and the things which resulted from the trade at that time have led to huge discoveries that have impacted the present as well. Because of this very reason and also, to improve co-operation, China has been giving a push to re-open Silk Route under the name One Belt One Road (OBOR), short for Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road. OBOR is a development strategy proposed by Chinese Government that focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries. It was proposed by Chinese President Xi JinPing in a speech in Kazakhstan in 2013, and was promoted by the Chinese premier Li Keqiang when visiting the foreign countries.

One Belt One Road aims to develop the economic partnership between China and countries and regions along the land silk road, plans to strengthen the infrastructure construction along the road and is also planning to digest China's excess capacity and labor, safeguard China's energy (such as Kazakhstan oil) and food supply, and promote the development of China's western region. It also aims to promote economic prosperity of the countries along the belt and road, to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations, and to promote world peace and development.

In case of countries like Nepal and Pakistan, OBOR— from the initial stages of its development to even after it is fully constructed— will will prove to be an investment and a path to development. Even now, the OBOR initiative has helped in the development of Pakistan with the projects such as those of Karachi-Lahore highway and the Karot hydropower station- the first foreign investment project of the Silk Road fund. The 1152 km highway designed with two-way six lanes is the largest transportation infrastructure projects for China-Pakistan economic corridor. The Chinese government has pledged to invest at least $35 billion in Pakistan by 2030 to finance the construction of power plants and the same kind— if not the same amount— of investment can be expected in Nepal as well.