Bangladesh, India and Nepal have agreed upon the need to expeditiously finalize the Passenger and Cargo Protocols for implementation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), leaving Bhutan aside.

According to a joint statement, representatives from the three countries discussed to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed by them for implementation of the BBIN MVA in the meeting held in New Delhi, India on Saturday (Feb 8).

They agreed to consider expediting the finalization of this MoU, expressing gratitude to Bhutan for offering its consent in this regard. Officials of Bhutan participated in Saturday's meeting in an observer capacity as decided by the country earlier, reports UNB.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, director general (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting also discussed the protocols that are required to give effect to MVA for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), which were signed on Jun 15, 2015.

During their January 2018 meeting in Bengaluru, the group discussed the two protocols.

The delegations recalled commitments made at the highest political level for implementation of the BBIN MVA and the importance of trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people contact, through enhanced regional connectivity.

They expressed satisfaction over progress made by each country in internal consultations with their stakeholders for the protocol for movement of passengers, the statement said. They also discussed various aspects of the draft protocol for movement of cargo vehicles, discussing the existing draft text jointly for the first time.

The three delegations reaffirmed their understanding that the BBIN MVA safeguards the rights and obligations of all parties under other international agreements and bilateral agreements within the group.