Home breadcru News breadcru Logistics breadcru India, Nepal ink agreement to boost rail trade connectivity

India, Nepal ink agreement to boost rail trade connectivity

14 Nov '25
2 min read
India, Nepal ink agreement to boost rail trade connectivity
Pic: Shutterstock

Insights

  • India and Nepal exchanged a Letter of Exchange amending their Transit Treaty Protocol, enabling direct rail movement of containerised and bulk cargo between Jogbani and Biratnagar and expanding key transit corridors.
  • The move strengthens multimodal connectivity from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports to Nepal.
  • Both sides also reviewed ongoing cross-border infrastructure projects.
India and Nepal exchanged a Letter of Exchange in New Delhi to amend the Protocol to their Treaty of Transit during a bilateral meeting between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal’s Industry and Commerce Minister Anil Kumar Sinha.

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, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.

The aforementioned Letter of Exchange (LoE) 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 June 1, 2023.

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. 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.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (RR)

Get Free Weekly Market Insights Newsletter

Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!