The Governments of Bhutan and India reaffirmed their commitment to seamless cross-border trade and modernized border management at the two-day customs dialogue held on 20-21 April 2026, in Munnar, Kerala, India. The 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sonam Jamtsho of Bhutan's Ministry of Finance and Mr. Yogendra Garg of India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
India is Bhutan's single largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 66% of Bhutan's total trade in 2025. The JGC meeting serves as an important institutional platform for the two countries to address customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and border security concerns. Trade through land customs stations is a priority for Bhutan, given the country's landlocked geography. There are currently 10 notified land customs stations along the India–Bhutan border, located in the states of West Bengal (6) and Assam (4).

Key discussions included:

• Coordinated Border Management (CBM)
• A proposed Memorandum of Understanding on pre-arrival exchange of customs data, which will speed up clearance
• Enhancing of intelligence sharing and joint enforcement to combat cross-border smuggling
• Discussions on facilitating transit cargo movement through the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS)
• Digital Customs processes
• Border infrastructure improvements, including ongoing efforts to upgrade physical infrastructure at border points
• Harmonization and streamlining of customs procedures

Both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening customs cooperation and ensuring secure, efficient border management under the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit, the overarching bilateral framework governing Bhutan-India trade.

The Bhutanese delegation also held a learning visit at the Kochi Port.

Related links

• Press release
• Press Information Bureau of India