Nepal, India set to amend trade, transit treaties

Kathmandu, June 6 : Nepal and India will amend the Trade Treaty, Transit Treaty and Railway Service Agreement (RSA) during the commerce joint secretary-level talks scheduled for June 6 and June 7.

According to media reports, both the countries are set to discuss on the major issues like permitting Indian private rail operators to transport Nepal-bound cargo from Visakhapatnam and Kolkata ports to Nepal.

Similarly, during the meeting, other agendas like the opening of other integrated checkpoints like Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Janakpur and giving access to Nepali and Indian railway companies to transport Nepal-bound cargo will also surface.

The amendment of the transit pact could well allow Nepal to use Indian sea ports closer to major customs points of western and far-western Nepal — Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi — for third-country trade. Ferrying Nepal-bound freight via inland waterways will also be incorporated in the transit treaty.

Similarly, the review of the RSA is also expected to facilitate the operationalisation of private railways to ferry Nepal-bound cargo from Indian ports to respective Nepali inland clearance depots.