On 17th December, 2020 The 4th Bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India and the National Narcotics Board (BNN), Indonesia was held virtually. The Indian side was headed by Rakesh Asthana, Director General of NCB, Ministry of Home Affairs, India & Puji Sarwono, Deputy of Legal Affairs & Cooperation, BNN, Indonesia led the Indonesian side.
Key Points from Indian Side:
i.Rakesh Asthana highlighted the trafficking of Heroin & Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) in India through land & maritime routes particularly the Golden Triangle.
Note: –
Golden Triangle is an area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers.
ii.He highlighted the New Challenge of dealing with Trafficking of drugs through Bay of Bengal & Andaman Sea.
iii.The Indian side highlighted the emerging trend in the production & trafficking of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and usage of Darknet markets.
iv.The trafficking of drugs through Courier & Parcel increased during the Pandemic.
v.The Indian side assures its coordination & cooperation with Indonesia to combat drug trafficking.
Key Points from Indonesian Side:
Puji Sarwono highlighted the growing threat of trafficking of Methamphetamine in Indonesia.
i.He called for development of frequent information exchange between two countries on drug trafficking & precursor smuggling activities at each level.
ii.Both countries agreed to exchange information regarding illegal entry & exit points of illicit drug trafficking on Indonesia-India borders & also information on technology being used to stop drug trafficking.
5th JWG Meeting:
Both sides agreed to hold the 5th India-Indonesia Bilateral JWG Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation in India in 2021.
Recent Related News:
i.On November 5, 2020, India successfully hosted the 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) on Coal between India and Indonesia via Video conference from New Delhi due to Pandemic.
ii.March 4, 2020, Based on “Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2019”, by International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) released by United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), India is named among the top manufacturers of illicit and licit drugs that are smuggled to other countries.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
Director General – Rakesh Asthana
Headquarters – New Delhi
About Indonesia:
President – Joko Widodo
Capital – Jakarta
Currency – Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) (IDR)
