Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, held a significant bilateral meeting with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) during the Global Food Regulators Summit at Bharat Mandapam. The focus of this meeting was the implementation protocol of the "Agreement" signed between India and Bhutan on March 21, 2024, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhutan.
One of the primary goals of the Agreement is for FSSAI to recognize the control exercised by the BFDA over food business operators (FBOs) in Bhutan. This move is expected to promote smoother trade relations and further technical cooperation between the two regulatory bodies. Additionally, the Agreement establishes a framework to facilitate trade between India and Bhutan, ensuring that food products meet the necessary safety and quality standards.
Discussions at the meeting centered around the steps taken by both FSSAI and BFDA to implement the Agreement. Both parties highlighted the importance of enhancing capacity building and technical collaboration to strengthen the food safety framework. Training programs and initiatives for BFDA officials were also discussed as part of these efforts.
G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, highlighted the significance of the meeting, 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. 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 nations."
Gyem Bidha, Director of the BFDA, also underscored the importance of the Agreement in facilitating safe food trade between the two countries. He expressed appreciation for FSSAI's leadership in food safety, stating, "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." Bidha also thanked FSSAI for extending the invitation to BFDA for the Global Food Regulators Summit.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both BFDA and FSSAI, including Gyem Bidha, Director of BFDA, and Tashi Peldon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi. Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India were also present.
