India-Bhutan to have seven additional entry/exit points for trade

Since 2014, trade between India and Bhutan has more than doubled from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1083 million in 2020-21

India-Bhutan Commerce Secretary Level meeting held in New Delhi 

The Commerce Secretary Level meeting was held between India and Bhutan on trade and transit issues, here yesterday.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and the Bhutanese delegation was led by H.E. Dasho Karma Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The two sides held extensive discussions on the current trade and transit issues including measures to further strengthen bilateral trade relations and issues of mutual interest, on ways to increase trade connectivity between the two countries. Through Letters of Exchange (LOE), the following seven additional entry/exit points for trade between India and Bhutan were formalized:-

1. Nagarkata Land Customs Station without commodity restriction.

2. Agartala Land Customs Station as an entry /exit point.

3. Pandu port (Guwahati Steamerghat) as an entry /exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.

4. Jogighopa port as an entry/exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.

5. Asian Highway 48 connecting Torsha Tea Garden in India and Ahllay in Bhutan as an additional route corresponding to the Land Custom Station at Jaigaon.

6. Kamardwisa as an entry/exit point.

7. Birpara as an entry/exit point.

This will form an addendum to the Protocol of 2016 India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit. This will facilitate India-Bhutan bilateral trade to our mutual advantage.

Since 2014, trade between India and Bhutan has more than doubled from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1083 million in 2020-21.

Expansion of trade entry/exit points enables additional authorised border crossings to strengthen bilateral trade connectivity and transit arrangements. Addition of seven cross border entry/exit points was formalized through Letters of Exchange as an addendum to the Protocol of 2016 on Trade, Commerce and Transit, listing specific land customs stations, river ports (two subject to cross border control at Dhubri) and an additional Asian Highway 48 route to expand authorised nodes for bilateral merchandise movement and strengthen trade connectivity.