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India-Bhutan Reaffirm Trade Ties

  • 22 Apr 2026

On 20th-21st April 2026, India and Bhutan reaffirmed their deep-rooted trade and economic partnership during the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting held in Munnar, Kerala.

Key Points

  • Trade Relations:
    • India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner (~80% share).
    • Bilateral trade crossed $1.9 billion in FY 2024-25.
    • Recorded over 46% growth year-on-year.
  • Border Infrastructure:
    • 10 land customs stations along the India-Bhutan border.
    • 6 in West Bengal and 4 in Assam.
  • Key Discussion Areas:
    • Coordinated border management.
    • Pre-arrival exchange of customs data (proposed MoU).
    • Strengthening anti-smuggling through intelligence sharing.
    • Digitisation and harmonisation of customs procedures.
  • Trade Facilitation Measures:
    • Use of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
    • Improvements in transit cargo handling and infrastructure.
  • Capacity Building & Exposure:
    • The Bhutan delegation visited Kochi Port.
    • Learned about cargo handling, maritime enforcement, and surveillance systems like Automatic Identification System (AIS).