Kathmandu, Oct 14: Home Minister Sudan Gurung raised certification hurdles facing Nepali exporters during talks with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday, alongside discussions on shared security concerns.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Gurung sought help in resolving technical barriers related to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification that Nepali industrialists and businesses face when accessing the Indian market.
The ministry said Shah responded positively to Nepal’s concerns. It did not announce any specific agreement or timetable for addressing the certification issues raised during the bilateral meeting.
BIS certification confirms that products meet Indian standards. Although certification is generally voluntary, India requires a valid BIS license for certain products covered by mandatory quality control orders. Foreign manufacturers can apply through its certification scheme, making approval necessary for exporting those goods to India.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening coordination and cooperation on security matters affecting both countries, the ministry said.
Gurung traveled to Delhi to attend the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, bringing together ministers from the regional grouping to discuss cooperation on security.
BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Nepal joined in February 2004. Its security cooperation covers counterterrorism, transnational crime and disaster management, providing a regional framework for addressing concerns that cross national borders.
Gurung left Kathmandu on Monday for the meeting and is scheduled to return home today.
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