Nepal and India have agreed to add waterways in the transit treaty between the two countries.
The Nepali side proposed to add waterways in the treaty during the meeting of commerce ministry officials of the two countries held in New Delhi on Monday and Tuesday.
A Nepali official, who participated in the meeting, told Setopati that Nepal proposed to India to add waterways in the treaty, allow use of additional two ports apart from the current two at Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam, and brining bulk cargo to Biratnagar and Bhairahawa border points.
"They have agreed on all three proposals," the official added. "This agreement is an important step as Nepal has already started the process to operate ships."
The agreement reached between the officials will become part of the treaty after the Cabinet of both the countries ratifies it.
The official elaborated that India has agreed to allow use of Dhamra Port, Odisha and Kandla Port of Gujarat, and entry of bulk cargo coming from the third countries through Bhirahawa and Biratnagar points. Bulk cargo coming from the third countries currently enters only through Birgunj.
Nepal will also get to use the waterways India is building in the Ganges and other rivers.
The earlier bilateral meeting held in Kathmandu had agreed on the use of terminals built in Sahebganj and Kalughat along the Ganges river. Nepal can use the Sahebganj terminal to bring goods to Biratnagar and Kalughat to Birgunj.
