New Delhi: India and Nepal on Saturday recognized the untapped potential of inland waterways, in order to contribute towards the overall economic development of the region. During the talk, both sides also reaffirmed their resolve to promote cooperation in agricultural science and technology, agricultural production and agro-processing.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement said, “Taking cognizance of their geographies and noting the development of inland waterways in both countries, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli took the landmark decision to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements and providing additional access to sea for Nepal.”
The new initiative would enable cost-effective and efficient movement of cargo. Prime Minister Oli noted the enormous impact the additional connectivity would have on the growth of business and economy of Nepal.
To facilitate the movement of traffic-in-transit, the two leaders directed their respective officials to formulate and mutually agree upon the requisite procedures and modalities for including inland waterways as an additional means of transport in the protocol to the treaty of transit between India and Nepal.
Both sides agreed to do this in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between both countries for the mutual benefit of farmers, consumers, the scientific community and the private sector.
A joint statement issued after delegation-level talks held at Hyderabad House read, “The two Prime Ministers agreed to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector and decided to launch a new partnership in agriculture.”
The first meeting of the partnership will be decided soon to determine priority areas of mutual interest and to develop a work plan for joint implementation.
India has announced a pilot project on organic farming and soil health monitoring for implementation in Nepal. (with inputs from ANI)