January 14: The Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) meeting on Trade, Transit and Cooperation to Control Unauthorised Trade concluded in Kathmandu with commitment to explore avenues for strengthening connectivity between the two countries.    
The two-day meeting held on January 12 and 13 aimed to promote bilateral cooperation and trade relations and transit by preventing unauthorised trade. Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ram Chandra Tiwari headed the Nepali delegation in the meeting that was attended by representatives from various ministries and departments.    
Joint Secretary Vipul Bansal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India led the Indian delegation in the meeting which witnessed the participation of representatives of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and senior government officials from India.    
The meeting discussed on various agenda while also exploring ways for finding a mutual market access for medicinal and ayurvedic goods.    
The Indian side highlighted the significance of the Paris Convention to promote foreign direct investment. The meeting stressed on the need of strengthening unobstructed trans-national connectivity between Nepal and India including the establishment of an integrated customs point and the construction of a railway service between the two countries.    
India remains a major trading partner of Nepal. The meeting is expected to contribute to further enhancing the economic and business relations between the two countries. -- RSS