India, Nepal begin talks on reviewing treaties

KATHMANDU: In the wake of Beijing’s nod to Nepal to use its sea ports for trade, senior officials from India and Nepal are meeting in Pokhara here to discuss an amendment of the bilateral Trade and Transit Treaties. Other issues discussed will pertain commerce, transit, waiving customs duty of Nepali agriculture products for easy access in Indian market, illegal trade, conducting inland waterways from Indian sea ports to Nepal via two rivers, Nepal officials said. “The meeting would explore the ways to reduce the huge trade deficit between the two countries, discussing whether to amend the bilateral treaties as per the need of time or deal the issues through a new way,” said Rabi Shankar Saiji who is leading the Nepali delegation in the meeting.