On December 11, 2020, the 5th India- Myanmar Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India and the Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control, Myanmar was held virtually.
- The Indian delegation was led by the Director General (DG) Narcotics Control Bureau, Rakesh Asthana while the Myanmar delegation was represented by the Commander of the Drug Enforcement Division (DED) cum Joint Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, Pol. Brig. Gen. (Police Brigadier General) Win Naing.
- The issue of trafficking of Heroin and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in India was highlighted during the meet as there is high prevalence of drug abuse in the North Eastern (NE) States bordering Myanmar. Also, the maritime route in Bay of Bengal is being used for drug trafficking.
- The production of yaba tablets (methamphetamine) is also increased.
Mutual Decisions taken by India-Myanmar:
–Both countries agreed to exchange intelligence information as early as possible in order to conduct follow-up investigations in drug seizure cases, new psychotropic substances and their precursors.
–They also agreed to conduct Border Level Officers/Field Level Officers meetings on regular a basis between frontline officers to further strengthen the cooperation on drug law enforcement.
–There will also be an information exchange on illegal entry and exit points of illicit drug trafficking on the Myanmar-India borders and information on technology being used to interdict drug trafficking.
— It was also decided that the 6th India – Myanmar Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation will be held in India in 2021.
Recent Related News:
i.On November 24, 2020, Piyush Goyal, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry along with Dr. Than Myint, Union Minister for Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar co-chaired the 7th Meeting of the Joint Trade Committee between India and Myanmar Virtually.
ii.The Cabinet has approved for India-UK which was inked between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), India and the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK MHRA) on cooperation in the field of medical Product Regulation.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Myanmar:
Capital– Naypyidaw
Currency– Kyat
President– U Win Myint
