India, Bhutan to fast-track cross-border infrastructure projects

30 Sep 2024 CW Team

India and Bhutan held discussions to accelerate the development of certain cross-border infrastructure projects, including the establishment of an integrated check post aimed at promoting bilateral trade. These issues were addressed during a meeting between Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal and Dasho Tashi Wangmo, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) of Bhutan, in Thimphu.

The officials, who co-chaired the meeting, agreed to fast-track the development of cross-border and connectivity infrastructure, such as the creation of an Integrated Check Post at Jaigaon-Phuentsholing and the establishment of rail links between Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samatse, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.

The statement also mentioned that both secretaries discussed the notification of the Land Customs Station (LCS) at Jaigaon for the import of scrap from Bhutan to India, the establishment of border haats along the India-Bhutan border, the facilitation of businessperson movement, and the potential import of boulders from Bhutan to India.

Additionally, deliberations were held on the inclusion of three new timber species for import from Bhutan to India, as well as the swift operationalization of an agreement, signed in March 2024, recognizing the official control exercised by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) by India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The two sides also discussed the need to expedite the finalization of an agreement between the National Seed Centre of Bhutan and Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited of India for the supply of fertilizers to Bhutan.

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