February 22, 2002

    The fifth round of bilateral talks between India and Nepal to review and revise the Indo-Nepal Trade Treaty was held at Kathmandu on 18-19 February 2002. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Dipak Chatterjee, Commerce Secretary, Government of India. The Nepalese delegation was led by Shri Bhanu Prasad Acharya, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal. Significant progress was made during these talks in terms of narrowing down of differences. The next round of talks is likely to be held at New Delhi on 27-28 February 2002. The Indo-Nepal Trade Treaty was valid initially upto 5^th December 2001 and was subsequently extended by a period of 3 months upto March 5, 2002.