NEW DELHI: India has ratified a UN customs convention, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) said on Monday, welcoming the move as cutting border red tape.

India thus becomes the 71st country to join the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) convention, which is set to boost the country’s overland trade with partners in Europe and Asia by easing customs controls, the IRU said.

“This ratification will save considerable time and money by reducing border procedures, administrative procedures and border wait times,” said Boris Blanche, director of operations of the IRU, in a statement.

China ratified the convention last year, the last country to do so before India’s decision.

“I am delighted to welcome India into the family of TIR nations,” IRU general secretary Umberto de Pretto said in the statement.

“It is an important step in harmonising rules and boosting transport, trade and development throughout South Asia,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2017