September 23, 2024
2 mins read

India and Bhutan strengthen food safety cooperation

The Agreement, a key outcome of growing collaboration between the two nations, underscores their commitment to enhancing food safety standards…reports Asian Lite News

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held a bilateral meeting with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) on the sidelines of the Global Food Regulators Summit in Bharat Mandapam, on Saturday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this meeting focused on the implementation of the food safety “agreement” signed between India and Bhutan on March 21, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan.

The Agreement, a key outcome of growing collaboration between the two nations, underscores their commitment to enhancing food safety standards, aligning regulatory frameworks, and simplifying food import procedures.

The primary goal is to facilitate smoother trade between India and Bhutan by recognizing the official control exercised by the BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) within Bhutan. Additionally, the Agreement aims to foster technical cooperation between FSSAI and BFDA.

The discussions in the bilateral meeting centred on implementing the provisions of the Agreement and reviewing the steps taken by both FSSAI and BFDA in this regard.

One of the key areas addressed during the meeting was capacity-building initiatives and technical collaboration, aimed at empowering BFDA officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain food safety standards.

G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “Today’s meeting marks a pivotal development in our partnership with Bhutan in the area of food safety and trade facilitation. The Agreement and the outcomes of our discussions are set to streamline trade processes and enhance food safety standards.”

Rao added, “This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards for consumers. By working closely with the BFDA, we are building a robust and effective food safety framework that will serve the interests of both the nations.”

Gyem Bidha, Director of BFDA, acknowledged the leadership of FSSAI in setting global food safety standards and emphasised the Agreement’s importance in facilitating safe food trade between India and Bhutan.

She noted, “This bilateral meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation challenges while exporting to India and on the areas of technical cooperation and capacity building to effectively implement the Agreement at the grassroots.”

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries. On the Bhutanese side, the delegation included Gyem Bidha, Director of BFDA, along with senior officials from the Food Quality and Safety Division of BFDA. From the

Indian side, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and FSSAI were present. Also in attendance was Tashi Peldon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden welcomes progress on India’s procurement of MQ-9B drones

Previous Story

Panel on Waqf Bill receives over 12 million responses

Next Story

Jagan writes to PM over Naidu ‘spreading lies’ on Tirupati laddu

Latest from -Top News

Trump tariffs send world markets into panic

US benchmark crude oil shed $2.70 to $64.25 a barrel after major oil producers announced they plan to increase production. Brent crude, the international standard, was down $2.63 at $67.51 a barrel

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

£13.9 billion of R&D fund to boost innovation, jobs

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power

OPEC+ accelerates oil output hikes

Despite the production boost, the group emphasised that future adjustments remain flexible and could be paused or reversed depending on market conditions. Eight OPEC+ nations have unexpectedly decided to accelerate their oil
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Stalin seeks Spanish investments in aerospace, defence

Addressing the industrialists in Madrid, Stalin said that Spain is

Indian, French warships hold joint drills in Arabian Sea

The partnership exercise was conducted on March 10-11…reports Asian Lite