India and Bhutan strengthen customs cooperation at 7th JGC meeting in Kerala

India and Bhutan reaffirmed their deep-rooted trade and economic partnership during the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting held in Munnar on April 20–21, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), CBIC, Government of India, and Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. The JGC continues to serve as a key institutional mechanism to address customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and border management between the two neighbouring nations.

India remains Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of its total trade. Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed $1.9 billion in FY 2024–25, recording a growth of over 46 per cent compared to the previous financial year. Given Bhutan’s landlocked geography, land customs stations play a crucial role, with 10 notified points along the India–Bhutan border—six in West Bengal and four in Assam.

During the meeting, both sides discussed priority areas such as coordinated border management, the proposed MoU on pre-arrival exchange of customs data, strengthening anti-smuggling mechanisms through intelligence sharing, and further digitisation of customs procedures. The facilitation of transit cargo under the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) and improvements in border infrastructure were also reviewed, along with efforts to streamline and harmonise customs procedures.

As part of the visit, the Bhutanese delegation toured Kochi Port, where they were briefed on import-export operations, vessel berthing, and container handling systems. They were also introduced to maritime enforcement practices, including sea patrolling, identification of suspicious vessels and cargo, and the use of communication systems such as satellite phones and the Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhancing customs cooperation, ensuring secure and efficient border management, and promoting seamless cross-border trade under the existing bilateral framework.