India and Bhutan concluded the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting at Munnar in Kerala, with the formal sessions held on April 20–21, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Government of India, and the Bhutanese delegation by Shri Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. India remains Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade. Bilateral merchandise trade exceeded US$ 1.9 billion in financial year 2024–25, registering a growth of over 46% over the previous fiscal. The two delegations reviewed Coordinated Border Management; a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the pre-arrival exchange of customs data; the use of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) for transit cargo; harmonisation of customs procedures; capacity-building exchanges; and stronger anti-smuggling intelligence-sharing. Ten notified land customs stations operate along the India-Bhutan border, six in West Bengal and four in Assam. As part of the agenda, the Bhutanese delegation visited Kochi Port and was briefed on maritime enforcement practices, including sea patrolling, identification of suspicious vessels and methods for screening suspicious cargo. The next round of the JGC will be held in Bhutan.
India and Bhutan Conclude 7th Joint Group of Customs Meeting in Munnar (Keralam) on April 21, 2026; Bilateral Trade Crosses US$ 1.9 Billion in FY 2024-25 with Over 46% Growth
India and Bhutan concluded the 7th Joint Group of Customs Meeting in Munnar, Keralam on April 20–21, 2026, co-chaired by CBIC Special Secretary Yogendra Garg and Bhutan's Customs DG Sonam Jamtsho. Bilateral trade crossed US$ 1.9 billion in FY 2024-25 with over 46% growth. The talks reviewed Coordinated Border Management, a pre-arrival data MoU and ECTS for transit cargo.
Key facts
- India and Bhutan held the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting at Munnar in Keralam on April 20–21, 2026.
- The Indian side was led by Shri Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, while the Bhutanese side was led by Shri Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
- India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade.
- Bilateral merchandise trade exceeded US$ 1.9 billion in FY 2024-25, registering growth of over 46% over the previous financial year.
- Discussions covered Coordinated Border Management, a draft MoU on pre-arrival exchange of customs data, the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) for transit cargo, harmonisation of customs procedures, anti-smuggling intelligence-sharing and capacity building.
- Ten notified land customs stations operate along the India-Bhutan border — six in West Bengal and four in Assam.
- The Bhutanese delegation visited Kochi Port and was briefed on maritime enforcement, including sea patrolling, identification of suspicious vessels and screening of suspicious cargo; the next round of the JGC will be held in Bhutan.
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With reference to the 7th India-Bhutan Joint Group of Customs Meeting concluded on April 21, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade. 2. Bilateral merchandise trade exceeded US$ 1.9 billion in FY 2024-25 with over 46% growth over the previous fiscal. 3. Ten notified land customs stations operate along the India-Bhutan border, six in West Bengal and four in Assam. Which of the statements given above are correct?
All three statements are correct as per the official PIB release on the 7th JGC. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner with about 80% share of Bhutan's trade; bilateral trade crossed US$ 1.9 billion in FY 2024-25 with growth of over 46% over the previous fiscal; and ten land customs stations operate on the border, six in West Bengal and four in Assam.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
Where and when was the 7th India-Bhutan Joint Group of Customs Meeting held?
The 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan was held at Munnar in Keralam on April 20–21, 2026. The next round of the JGC will be held in Bhutan.
Who led each delegation at the 7th JGC?
The Indian delegation was led by Shri Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Government of India. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Shri Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
What is the current scale of India-Bhutan bilateral trade?
Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Bhutan exceeded US$ 1.9 billion in financial year 2024-25, registering growth of over 46% compared to the previous financial year. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade.
How many notified land customs stations operate on the India-Bhutan border and where are they located?
Ten notified land customs stations operate along the India-Bhutan border. Six of these are located in West Bengal and four are in Assam. They handle the bulk of bilateral trade and transit cargo movement between the two countries.
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