KATHMANDU: Visiting Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli and his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi have 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, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minitser Narendra Modi held delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday and recognised the untapped potential of inland waterways to contribute towards overall economic development of the region.

It has been said that the landmark decision comes from Prime Ministers of Nepal and India to facilitate the movement of traffic-in-transit taking cognizance of geographies and noting the development of inland waterways in both countries. The two Prime Ministers have expressed commitment to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal.

Prime Minister KP Oli noted the enormous impact the additional connectivity would have on the growth of business and economy of Nepal, according to MoFA.