India amends treaty to allow Nepal easier import of vehicles

India has agreed to allow Nepal to import vehicles from a third nation and bring it into the country through four border points on their own power.
Nepal had requested India for the move citing the requirements of additional handling facilities, special carriers and equipment which added to the cost and time of clearance of vehicles from Kolkata port into Nepal.
The movement of vehicles on their own power to Nepal has been allowed through Raxaul-Birgunj, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Sunauli-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj border points, a statement from the Indian Embassy said here today.
Earlier, import of such vehicles were allowed only by railway wagons and trucks or trailers after proper sealing by Indian Customs as per the bilateral Treaty of Transit.

There was no provision under Nepal-India Treaty of Transit allowing import of third country motor vehicles transiting India to be moved on their own power.
A Letter of Exchange has been finalised by both nations, amending the Treaty of Transit and allowing movement of vehicles from a third country destined to Nepal through Indian territory on their own power, the statement added.
The matter was also discussed between the two governments in the third meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission held in Kathmandu on 25-26 July last year.