The Government of India has, in principle, allowed Nepal access to three inland waterway routes: (i) Kolkata-Kalughat, Raxaul; (ii) Kolkata-Sahebgunj, Biratnagar; and (iii) Kolkata-Varanasi-Raxaul. These new routes will expand Nepal's transit options to the sea. A draft letter for this arrangement was finalized during the Joint Secretary-level meeting between India and Nepal in late September.

The meeting also finalized the draft of a mutual recognition agreement between quality certificates issued by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control of Nepal and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This agreement is expected to ease the import and export of various food items between the two countries.

Related Links:

• India to allow Nepal use of three rivers for inland waterways to push regional connectivity 
• Nepal, India agree to recognize each other’s certification of exportable food