Bhutanese Citizens Report Harassment at India Border Over Legal Currency Carrying Limits

Rajesh Sharma | KalimNews | May 4, 2025 | Jaigaon :  A recent crackdown by Indian border forces following the seizure of counterfeit Indian currency notes has led to growing concerns of harassment faced by Bhutanese citizens at several India-Bhutan border crossings, especially in the Jaigaon region. The incident that triggered the stricter enforcement reportedly involved a man caught entering Bhutan from Assam with fake ₹500 notes. While Bhutanese authorities responded by tightening their foreign exchange regulations internally, Indian border personnel are reportedly using the case as grounds to impose arbitrary restrictions on Bhutanese travellers, many of whom legally carry Indian currency under existing guidelines.

According to the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan, Bhutanese nationals are permitted to carry up to ₹100,000 in Indian currency for medical travel. For educational purposes, an annual limit of ₹80,000 is allowed, and for private travel, the annual limit is ₹50,000, with no more than ₹25,000 per individual trip. Despite these clearly defined regulations, Bhutanese citizens have reported that Indian border security personnel, particularly those from the Sasastra Seema Bal (SSB), are restricting them to amounts far below the permitted thresholds—often refusing passage if they carry more than ₹20,000. This has caused serious distress, particularly for patients traveling to Indian hospitals and students enrolling in educational institutions across the border.

Several cases have also emerged where Bhutanese travellers have had their money confiscated at the border without proper documentation or explanation. In addition to the currency restrictions, individuals purchasing essential household goods from India are being stopped and interrogated, while Indian traders sourcing goods from Bhutan are reportedly facing similar scrutiny and logistical disruptions. This pattern of enforcement has disrupted the previously smooth and largely unregulated cross-border trade, leading to shortages and price hikes in some Bhutanese markets.

The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of full digital payment infrastructure between the two countries. While the RuPay card system was introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bhutan in 2014, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has yet to be fully integrated into Bhutan’s banking network. This means Bhutanese nationals still rely heavily on cash while transacting in India, leaving them vulnerable to cash-related restrictions and alleged mistreatment.

Observers and rights advocates argue that while the counterfeit currency incident is a serious matter, it does not justify the blanket suspicion and arbitrary enforcement that Bhutanese citizens are now facing. Using an isolated criminal act as grounds to penalize ordinary travellers not only undermines bilateral trust but also places undue strain on people who depend on cross-border movement for healthcare, education, and basic livelihood needs.

Despite calls for clarity and proper coordination between the two countries’ financial and security agencies, no official resolution has been announced as of now. Bhutanese citizens continue to seek safe, fair, and respectful treatment when traveling to and from India under legally sanctioned provisions.