India-Nepal Customs Talks: Cooperation Against Smuggling
Why in the news
Customs chiefs of the two neighbours met in Kathmandu and agreed on steps to make cross-border trade smoother and to curb illegal movement of goods.
Key facts
- Level of talks: Director General level, in Kathmandu.
- Agenda: customs operations, trade efficiency, border infrastructure and transborder crime.
- Technology: new tools to be adopted to facilitate trade and stop smuggling.
- Policy link: India is a key trading partner for Nepal under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach.
Delegations
| Side | Leader | Office |
|---|---|---|
| India | Abhai Kumar Srivastav | Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, CBIC |
| Nepal | Mahesh Bhattarai | Director General, Department of Customs |
Agreements in focus
- Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement: to be finalised for better collaboration.
- Pre-arrival exchange of customs data: progress on the MoU to be reviewed.
- Both sides accept smuggling as a shared problem and committed to joint efforts.
Significance
- Expected economic benefits for both economies and stronger border security.
- Trade ties matter greatly to Nepal because of its export dependence on India.
Exam angle
- Talks venue: Kathmandu.
- Indian agency in the delegation: CBIC (DRI).
- Policy term: Neighbourhood First.