International Cooperation and Trade Facilitation

International Cooperation and Trade Facilitation

• India and Bhutan held the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting in Munnar, Kerala (April 20-21, 2026) to strengthen customs cooperation and border management.
• Co-chaired by India’s CBIC Special Secretary Yogendra Garg and Bhutan’s DG Sonam Jamtsho.
• Key Discussions:
  • Coordinated Border Management (CBM) initiatives.
  • MoU on pre-arrival customs data exchange.
  • Anti-smuggling strengthened via intelligence sharing, especially under ‘Operation Numkhor’.
  • Digitisation of customs procedures and facilitation of transit cargo using Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
• Outcome: Review and improvement of border infrastructure, trade facilitation, and customs procedural harmonization.

• Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan completed a historic first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka (April 19-20, 2026).
• Met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
• Key Agreements and Announcements:
  • Signed multiple MoUs targeting healthcare and regional development cooperation.
  • Announced completion of Phase III of Indian Housing Project (4,000 houses).
  • Restoration works for Northern Railway Line and Bailey bridges under Cyclone Ditwah relief.
  • Scholarship expansion under Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (from 350 to 700 scholarships with increased stipends).
  • Sri Lanka agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).