MUNNAR — India and Bhutan successfully concluded the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting held in Munnar, Kerala, on April 20–21, 2026. Co-chaired by Mr. Yogendra Garg (CBIC, India) and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho (Ministry of Finance, Bhutan), the meeting focused on streamlining cross-border trade and enhancing security protocols.
The bilateral relationship remains robust, with India serving as Bhutan’s largest trading partner. Trade between the two nations surged by 46% in FY 2024–25, exceeding $1.9 billion.
Key Outcomes and Discussion Areas
As a landlocked nation, Bhutan relies heavily on the 10 notified land customs stations in West Bengal and Assam. The delegates prioritized several initiatives to modernize these transit corridors:
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Digital Transformation: Discussions centered on the digitization of customs processes and the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the pre-arrival exchange of customs data.
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Border Efficiency: The teams reviewed Coordinated Border Management (CBM) and the use of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) to facilitate seamless transit cargo movement.
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Security & Enforcement: Both sides agreed to strengthen anti-smuggling mechanisms through real-time intelligence sharing and joint enforcement efforts.
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Infrastructure Upgrades: A review of border infrastructure was conducted to ensure facilities can handle the rapidly growing trade volumes.
Technical Visit to Kochi Port
Following the sessions, the Bhutanese delegation visited Kochi Port for a first-hand look at maritime operations. They were briefed on:
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Cargo Handling: Vessel berthing and container operations using gantry cranes.
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Maritime Enforcement: Patrolling techniques, the use of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and procedures for identifying and examining suspicious cargo.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit, ensuring that the India-Bhutan border remains a secure and efficient gateway for regional prosperity.
