Three states devising ways to execute MVA sans Bhutan

Bangladesh, India and Nepal are likely to execute motor vehicle agreement (MVA) without Bhutan beginning cross-border movement of passenger and cargo vehicles.
Sources said the foreign ministries of the three countries have already taken the move in this regard after Bhutan gave green signal to them to go ahead without it last month.
Transport ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) had signed the multi-modal transport deal in June 2015 with a view to starting seamless cross-border movement of passenger and cargo vehicles including private cars across the four countries from January 1, 2016.
But their efforts hit a snag during the stage of MVA ratification as Bhutan refrained from endorsing it. Bhutan's upper house of parliament declined to approve the agreement in December last.
The ratification is essential to start execution of the MVA.
Officials said Bhutan has, however, given its no-objection to implementation of the agreement without it by three other member-countries following request from them.  The three have already ratified the agreement and made some progress in formulating protocols.
However, it is still not clear how the MVA could be executed without Bhutan.
Sources said Bangladesh, India, Nepal (BIN) are now working to find a solution by issuing a note verbale.
A draft on the changed agreement is now under preparation which may be attached to the main MVA to work with it till Bhutan's joining.
"BIN is yet to decide how to change the MVA. If it is to sign separate MVA, it would be a long process," said an official preferring not to be identified.
He said, it is rather easy to make an addendum with separate note keeping the temporary provision and scope of Bhutan's return to the forum.
Bhutan's lawmakers rejected the MVA with apprehension that a large number of vehicles to be involved under the MVA would leave negative impacts on tourism haven Himalayan kingdom's environment and road infrastructures.
    smunima@yahoo.com