The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, held a bilateral meeting with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) on the sidelines of the Global Food Regulators Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The meeting centered around the implementation of the "Agreement" signed between the two nations on March 21, 2024, during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Bhutan.
This Agreement represents a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between India and Bhutan, focusing on improving food safety, aligning regulatory frameworks, and simplifying food import procedures. It also aims to strengthen technical cooperation between FSSAI and BFDA to enhance trade facilitation between the two neighboring countries.
One of the key provisions of the Agreement is the recognition of Bhutan’s official control over its food business operators (FBOs) by the FSSAI. This move is expected to boost confidence in Bhutanese food products within India, while also ensuring that food safety standards are maintained across both countries.
The meeting, attended by top officials from both sides, primarily focused on how to implement the Agreement. Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, emphasized the importance of the discussions, saying, “Today's meeting marks a pivotal development in our partnership with Bhutan in the areas of food safety and trade facilitation. The Agreement, along with the outcomes of our discussions, is set to streamline trade processes and raise food safety standards. By working closely with BFDA, we are building a robust and effective food safety framework that will serve the interests of both nations.”
Ms. Gyem Bidha, Director of the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, highlighted the critical role the Agreement will play in facilitating safe food trade between Bhutan and India. She acknowledged FSSAI's leadership in food safety, adding that the bilateral meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss implementation challenges and the technical cooperation needed to overcome them. She also emphasized the importance of capacity-building initiatives for BFDA officials to effectively enforce the terms of the Agreement.
Further capacity-building programs and technical collaboration for BFDA officials were also discussed, with both sides agreeing on the importance of skill development to strengthen the food safety landscape. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for smoother trade processes, benefiting both nations economically while ensuring the highest food safety standards for consumers.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Gyem Bidha, Director of BFDA, and senior officials from Bhutan’s Food Quality and Safety Division. Also present were Ms. Tashi Peldon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi, and senior representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
With both countries committed to this partnership, the Agreement is set to create a more seamless and safe food trade relationship between India and Bhutan, building on shared values of consumer safety and quality assurance.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)