Nepal

The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) has raised concerns over the sharp rise in duty-free edible oil imports from Nepal under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) provisions. The imports surged significantly in the first quarter of 2025, prompting the IVPA to request government intervention. With fears of third-country routing through Nepal and the resulting market imbalances, the association has called on the government to restrict these imports to protect domestic processors and ensure fair competition.

In a pivotal meeting held in Kathmandu, India and Nepal's customs authorities focused on addressing critical issues such as cross-border smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and the circulation of fake currency notes (FCN). During the 21st Director General-Level Talks on Customs Cooperation, the two countries deliberated on various initiatives to enhance customs cooperation, including improvements in border infrastructure, the finalization of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA), and the implementation of electronic systems for data exchange.

Indian beer manufacturers are calling on the Delhi government to address what they see as an unfair advantage granted to beer imports from Bhutan and Nepal. These imports enjoy lower excise duties compared to domestic beers, putting local brewers at a significant disadvantage. The Brewers Association of India (BAI) has highlighted this disparity in a formal appeal, suggesting that it undermines the "Make in India" initiative, encourages tax evasion, and creates an uneven playing field in the Delhi beer market.

India’s Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is set to attend the third BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture in Nepal on April 9, which is expected to provide a significant platform for fostering agricultural cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region. This high-level meeting will bring together key figures from the agricultural sectors of seven countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—to discuss progress and new initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration.