India Positive on Setting Up BIS Testing Lab in Nepal; Crucial Talks Held on Jute Anti-Dumping Duty
14th November 2026, Kathmandu
Nepal’s Industry Minister Deepak Kumar Sah and Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal held bilateral talks in Visakhapatnam focusing on setting up a BIS lab in Nepal, reviewing anti-dumping duty on Nepalese jute, and expanding transit facilities.
Visakhapatnam, India. In a major push to streamline bilateral trade, transit, and industrial cooperation, Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Deepak Kumar Sah, held a high-level bilateral meeting with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. The meeting took place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the sidelines of the 31st Partnership Summit 2026.
India Agrees to Advance Proposal for BIS Testing Lab in Nepal
A key highlight of the meeting was India’s positive response to establishing a testing laboratory in Nepal compliant with the standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). During the talks, Minister Sah highlighted the procedural delays, high costs, and logistical hurdles faced by Nepalese industries, particularly cement, steel, plywood, footwear, and yarn manufacturers while acquiring BIS certification to enter the Indian market.
Responding positively, Indian Minister Goyal expressed immediate readiness and directed the concerned secretary of his ministry to initiate necessary coordination to move the project forward.
Establishing an international-standard certification facility within Nepal is expected to significantly reduce export costs and boost the competitiveness of Nepalese products.
Review of Anti-Dumping Duty on Nepalese Jute and Agricultural Trade
The two ministers delved into long-standing tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting Nepalese exports:
Jute Tariff Review: Minister Sah urged the Indian side to review the anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty imposed on Nepalese jute products.
Tea and Food Exports: Discussions also focused on ensuring unhindered access for Nepalese tea in the Indian market and granting mutual recognition to test reports issued by accredited laboratories under Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. Both sides also explored expanding quality testing infrastructure along the Nepal-India border.
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Expanding Transit Access and Reviewing the Trade Treaty
To bolster Nepal’s connectivity and third-country trade, the leaders discussed several strategic transit agendas:
Access to New Ports: Operationalizing India’s Dhamra (Odisha) and Mundra (Gujarat) ports as additional transit facilities for Nepal.
Kolkata Port Lease: Renewing the land lease agreement for the Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Limited at Kolkata Port, or providing a suitable alternative plot.
Kakarbhitta–Phulbari–Banglabandha Route: Removing additional load restrictions and transport bottlenecks faced by Nepalese cargo vehicles along this vital corridor.
Trade Treaty: Advancing the review process of the bilateral Nepal-India Trade Treaty.
Minister Sah emphasized that mutual trust, equal treatment, and simplified trade procedures are vital to strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Minister Goyal assured that India would work closely through technical consultations and institutional coordination to resolve the issues raised. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies stated it will actively follow up with Indian authorities to ensure the timely implementation of these agreements.
For more: India BIS Testing Lab in Nepal
