Kathmandu, Nov. 13: Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Government of Nepal, and Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister of India, met in Delhi today and exchanged a Letter of Exchange (LoE) amending the Protocol to the Transit Treaty between India and Nepal.

As per the press statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry of India, this signing will facilitate the movement of rail-based freight between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), including bulk cargo under an expanded definition. "This liberalisation extends to key transit corridors – Kolkata-Jogbani, Kolkata-Nautanwa (Sunauli), and Visakhapatnam-Nautanwa (Sunauli), thereby strengthening multimodal trade connectivity between the two countries and Nepal's trade with third countries."

Letter of Exchange (LoE) also enables direct rail connectivity along the Jogbani–Biratnagar rail link for both containerised and bulk cargo, facilitating transport from the ports of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to the Nepal Customs Yard cargo station located in Morang District, near Biratnagar in Nepal. "This rail link, constructed with grant assistance from the Government of India, was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal on 1 June 2023," reads the statement.

The meeting also welcomed ongoing bilateral initiatives to enhance cross-border connectivity and trade facilitation, including the development of Integrated Check Posts and other infrastructure.

According to the statement, India remains Nepal's largest trade and investment partner, accounting for a significant share of its external trade. "These new measures are expected to further consolidate economic and commercial linkages between the two countries and beyond."