India and Bhutan Hold Their 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan
In a thrilling announcement, India and Bhutan officially held their 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting on 24th-25th April 2025, in the serene town of Thimphu, Bhutan. This historic event marked a significant milestone in their ongoing journey of strengthening customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring secure and efficient border management. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Government of India, and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
India and Bhutan reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening Customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring secure and efficient border management.
The 6th JGC Meeting: A significant step forward
The meeting was held every year as a joint effort to discuss re-defining customs procedures, promote cross-border trade, and streamline the border management system. With 10 Land Customs Stations along the India-Bhutan border in West Bengal (6) and Assam (4), these stations serve as critical checkpoints for landlocked countries like Bhutan, ensuring efficient movement of goods through their borders. The meeting concluded with optimism, promising improvements in trade and security.
Details of the discussions
The JGC meeting featured a variety of topics, including:
- Automation and digitization of customs transit processes
- Coordinated Border Management (CBM) initiatives, such as pre-arrival data exchange
- Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA)
- Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS)
- Enhancing the trade relationship through better cooperation
These discussions aimed to bring together the two nations, fostering a collaborative environment for further growth in customs and trade.
Bhutan’s gratitude to CBIC
Bhutan expressed their sincere thanks to CBIC for their unwavering support, particularly for recognizing the importance of capacity-building workshops like the ‘Advancing India-Bhutan Trade and Economic Partnership’ held from July 29 to August 1, 2024. These workshops played a crucial role in addressing trade-related concerns and facilitating smoother operations.
The journey towards future collaboration
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and securing efficient border management. This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter for India-Bhutan’s relationship, signaling their desire to work together to unlock potential in the crossroads and beyond.
The 6th JGC Meeting is not just a meeting; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of India and Bhutan in this vital region.
As we look ahead, this event underscores the importance of continued collaboration in customs and trade. Together, these nations stand on the cusp of an even brighter future, with the potential for greater economic prosperity and improved security. Let us look forward to what lies ahead as we work to strengthen our partnership, ensuring that both sides’ efforts are directed towards a prosperous and secure tomorrow.
Introduction
India and Bhutan have always been two of the most prominent nations in the Asia-Pacific region, known for their strong trade relationships. Over 80% of Bhutan’s overall trade is generated through land Customs Stations, making this a critical area for cooperation. The 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting between India and Bhutan, held in Thimphu, marks a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to strengthen customs cooperation, enhance trade facilitation, and secure efficient border management.
The 6th JGC Meeting: A significant step forward
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, the Special Secretary and Member (Customs) at CBIC, Government of India, and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Director General of the Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. This event brought together stakeholders from both countries to discuss re-defining customs procedures, promoting cross-border trade, and streamlining border management.
The discussions
The JGC meeting focused on several key topics:
- Automation and digitization of customs processes
- Coordinated Border Management (CBM) initiatives, including pre-arrival data exchange
- CMAA
- ECTS
These discussions aimed to bring together the two nations, fostering a collaborative environment for further growth in customs and trade.
Bhutan’s gratitude to CBIC
Bhutan expressed their sincere thanks to CBIC for their unwavering support. Notably, CBIC recognized the importance of capacity-building workshops like the ‘Advancing India-Bhutan Trade and Economic Partnership’ held from July 29 to August 1, 2024. These workshops played a crucial role in addressing trade-related concerns.
The journey towards future collaboration
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and securing efficient border management. This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter for India-Bhutan’s relationship, signaling their desire to work together to unlock potential in the crossroads and beyond.
The 6th JGC Meeting is not just a meeting; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of India and Bhutan in this vital region.
As we look ahead, this event underscores the importance of continued collaboration in customs and trade. Together, these nations stand on the cusp of an even brighter future, with the potential for greater economic prosperity and improved security. Let us look forward to what lies ahead as we work to strengthen our partnership, ensuring that both sides’ efforts are directed towards a prosperous and secure tomorrow.