Key Takeaways
- India and Nepal amend transit treaty to boost rail freight.
- New rail link connects Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal) for bulk cargo.
- Expanded access to key transit corridors like Kolkata-Jogbani and Visakhapatnam-Nautanwa.
India and Nepal have strengthened their trade partnership by amending a key transit treaty, enabling smoother rail-based freight movement between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal.
The agreement, signed on November 13, 2025, in New Delhi by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal’s Industry Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, specifically facilitates the transport of bulk cargo under a broader definition.
Enhanced Trade Corridors
The liberalised protocol extends to major transit routes, including:
- Kolkata to Jogbani
- Kolkata to Nautanwa (Sunauli)
- Visakhapatnam to Nautanwa (Sunauli)
This move strengthens multimodal trade connectivity not only between the two nations but also enhances Nepal’s trade with third countries.
Minister Goyal and Minister Sinha welcomed the ongoing bilateral efforts to improve cross-border connectivity and trade. A government release highlighted that India remains Nepal’s largest trade and investment partner, accounting for a significant portion of its external trade.
The new measures are expected to further solidify the economic and commercial ties between India and Nepal, fostering greater regional integration.
