Trade Facilitation In Focus During 21St India-Nepal Customs Talks

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, April 14 (KNN) The 21st Director-General Level Talks on Customs Cooperation between India and Nepal concluded in Kathmandu on April 11, 2025, after two days of productive discussions on bilateral customs issues.

The Indian delegation was led by Abhai Kumar Srivastav, Director-General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, while Mahesh Bhattarai, Director-General, Department of Customs, headed the Nepali delegation.

The comprehensive agenda covered several critical areas aimed at enhancing customs cooperation between the neighboring countries.

Discussions included measures to combat smuggling, reviewing progress on the Memorandum of Understanding for Pre-arrival Exchange of Customs Data, and the Electronic Origin Data Exchange System.

Officials also worked toward finalising the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement and addressed facilitation of transit cargo movement under the Electronic Cargo Tracking System.

Significant attention was given to addressing trans-border criminal activities, particularly the smuggling of gold, narcotics, fake currency notes, and prohibited or restricted goods such as e-cigarettes and e-lighters.

Both sides acknowledged smuggling as a common challenge and committed to strengthening cooperation through active engagement and intelligence exchange to prevent illegal cross-border trade.

As India's priority partner under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy, Nepal maintains strong trade relations with India, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of Nepal's exports.

The bilateral talks serve as an important mechanism to facilitate legitimate trade while preventing illicit activities along the shared border in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

The talks concluded on a positive note, with the Nepali delegation expressing gratitude to the Indian government, particularly the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, for knowledge sharing initiatives and capacity enhancement programs provided to Nepal Customs officials at various levels.

Both nations emphasised the importance of collaboration in areas that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of trade and customs operations across their shared border.

They agreed to explore new technologies that could facilitate trade while preventing smuggling, recognising the potential for significant economic benefits to both countries through improved customs cooperation.

(KNN Bureau)

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