Munnar(Kerala), 21 April (H.S.):

The seventh Joint Group on Customs (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan, held April 20-21 in Munnar, yielded firm commitments to strengthen customs cooperation, streamline trade processes, and enhance border management. Discussions focused on smuggling prevention, customs digitization, infrastructure upgrades, and Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) implementation for seamless cargo transit.

Co-chaired by CBIC Special Secretary & Member (Customs) Yogendra Garg and Bhutan's Revenue & Customs Director General Sonam Jamtsho, the conclave addressed coordinated border management, pre-arrival customs data exchange MoU, intelligence sharing against smuggling, process digitization, and transit facilitation.

Border infrastructure improvements and simplified procedures featured prominently.

The Bhutanese team visited Kochi Port, gaining insights into import-export operations, vessel berthing, container handling, maritime enforcement including patrols, suspect vessel identification, and communication systems. Both sides reaffirmed dedication to robust customs collaboration, frictionless trade promotion, and secure, efficient border governance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar