The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing and ratifying, an Agreement between India and Tajikistan on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters.

The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences. The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.

Background:

The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries and help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade. The Agreement takes care of Indian Customs' concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value declared, origin of goods and the tariff classification of the goods traded between the two countries.

Customs cooperation enhances information sharing and mutual assistance to prevent and investigate customs offences and facilitate trade. An Agreement establishes a legal framework for mutual assistance and information sharing between India and Tajikistan in customs matters to support application of customs laws, prevention and investigation of customs offences, and to enable exchange of information on customs value, origin of goods, and tariff classification to facilitate trade and efficient clearance of goods.