New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international cooperation in standardisation, particularly with African and Latin American nations, during a high-level roundtable discussion held on Monday.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, addressing the gathering, emphasised the significance of harmonising standards to bolster global trade and enhance quality infrastructure. She highlighted India’s proactive role in setting international benchmarks, ensuring product safety, and facilitating seamless cross-border trade.
The roundtable, hosted by BIS, saw participation from over 25 nations, represented by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and key officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Consumer Affairs. The discussions were led by Khare alongside BIS Director General Pramod Kumar Tiwari.
Khare underscored India's strong commitment to global standardisation, citing its active engagement in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) at both technical and governance levels. She pointed out that BIS has been instrumental in capacity-building initiatives for developing nations under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. To date, 30 African and 10 Latin American countries have benefited from these efforts, with several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) established to facilitate knowledge-sharing and best practices exchange.
"For developing countries with limited resources and expertise, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they can adopt Indian standards through harmonisation, benefiting from BIS’s extensive experience," she stated.
Additionally, BIS has developed comprehensive codes such as the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC), contributing to safe and sustainable infrastructure development. Khare reiterated BIS’s willingness to assist any country seeking support in standardisation principles and sector-specific matters.
The event reinforced India’s role as a key player in the global standardisation landscape, offering its expertise to partner nations and strengthening trade relationships through harmonised regulations.
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