Nepal-India Director General-Level talks begin in Kathmandu focusing on enhancing cooperation in foreign trade facilitation

Kathmandu: Director General-level talks between customs officials of Nepal and India have begun in Kathmandu today, focusing on enhancing coordination and cooperation in foreign trade facilitation and customs administration.

The two-day discussions aim to simplify cross-border trade, control illegal trade activities, and prevent revenue leakage.

Key topics on the agenda include the exchange of advance export information between customs offices, implementation of an electronic cargo tracking system for third-country goods transiting through India, and strengthening quality and quarantine checks at border points.

Narayan Prasad Regmi, Information Officer at Nepal’s Customs Department, stated that the talks will also address India’s recognition of Nepal’s electronically issued Certificate of Origin through the National Single Window System.

Other significant matters include the timely completion of Integrated Check Posts under construction at Bhairahawa and Chandani/Dodhara, as well as easing India’s quality certification process for Nepali exports.

The Nepali delegation is led by Mahesh Bhattarai, Director General of the Customs Department, while the Indian team is headed by Abhay Kumar Srivastava, Director General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.