The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) celebrated International Customs Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with the Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The event was graced by the Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, as Chief Guest. The symposium was attended by Arvind Shrivastava, Revenue Secretary, and Vivek Chaturvedi, Chairman, CBIC, along with Members of the Board and other senior officials namely, Sanjay Mangal, Mohan Kumar Singh, Punit Agrawal, Yogesh Garg, and Apoorva Kumar Srivastava.
Focus on Trade Facilitation and Border Security
The celebration underscored the pivotal role played by Indian Customs in facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring robust border security. Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries highlighted Customs’ dual responsibility — enabling seamless cross-border movement of goods and safeguarding the nation against illicit trade, smuggling, and security threats.
Speakers emphasised the importance of leveraging technology-driven reforms to modernise Customs administration. Initiatives aimed at digitisation, automation, and risk-based assessments were noted as instrumental in reducing dwell time, improving compliance, and fostering a trust-based ecosystem for businesses.
Technology, Transparency and Trust-Based Governance
A key theme of the event was the shift towards trust-based processes and collaborative engagement with stakeholders. CBIC reiterated its commitment to enhancing transparency, predictability, and efficiency through digital platforms and data-driven decision-making.
Senior officials stressed that continued engagement with industry bodies and partner government agencies remains crucial for building resilient and secure supply chains. The department’s reforms were presented as aligned with the broader national objective of ease of doing business and economic growth.
Honouring Excellence in Service
The ceremony also recognised outstanding contributions of Customs officers from across the country. Awards were conferred to officers who demonstrated exceptional service in areas such as enforcement, trade facilitation, revenue mobilisation, and anti-smuggling operations.
The recognition served as a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of Customs personnel working at ports, airports, land borders, and inland formations, often under challenging circumstances.
Commitment to Viksit Bharat 2047
Reaffirming its vision, CBIC stated that Indian Customs will continue to play a central role in supporting the government’s goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” The department committed to strengthening secure supply chains, promoting citizen-centric initiatives, and ensuring that India’s trade infrastructure remains efficient, transparent, and globally competitive.
The celebration concluded with a renewed resolve to balance facilitation with enforcement, reinforcing Customs’ position as a key enabler of India’s economic aspirations and national security objectives.
