Kathmandu: With the amendment of the Protocol to the Transit Treaty between Nepal and India, all types of cargo can now be transported to Bhairahawa via Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, Biratnagar (Jogbani) and Nautanwa (Sunauli) routes. The amendment is expected to reduce Nepal’s transit cost and time and make a significant contribution to trade facilitation, shared Jitendra Basnet, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Minister for Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha, while on his way to Visakhapatnam, India, met with Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal at the Indian Embassy in New Delhi. On the occasion, the revised protocol of the Transit Treaty was formally exchanged between the two countries. Spokesperson Basnet said that earlier only four types of bulk goods could be transported by rail from both the border points and now all types of cargo can be sent by rail and road.
During the meeting, discussions were held on bilateral trade, transit arrangements, trade infrastructure development and investment promotion between Nepal and India. Minister Sinha had stressed the need to simplify the certification process to facilitate trade and transit between the two countries. On the occasion, Minister Sinha praised India’s Neighborhood-First Policy and mentioned the need for further cooperation and coordination in the areas of bilateral trade, transit and investment promotion in accordance with the policy. Indian Minister Goyal stated that Nepal is a country of special priority for India and urged the officials of both countries to bring the issues under discussion to an early conclusion. Nepali Ambassador to India Dr Shankar Sharma and senior officials of the concerned ministries of both countries were present in the meeting.
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