Agreement for electronic exchange of data between India Post and US Postal Service

According to the agreement, the respective bodies will transmit and receive electronic data of international postal items before their arrival.

• According to the agreement, the respective bodies will transmit and receive electronic data of international postal items before their arrival.
• This will help custom services to clear the postal items well in advance, that even before the shipment reaches the port.
• Also, it will improve the performance of postal services.
• In 2019, around 30% of small packets and letters transmitted by India Post were to USA.
• Also, 20% of outbound EMS was to US. Around 60% parcels received originated from the USA.
• According to Ministry of Communications, the main objective of the agreement is to facilitate ease of exports through postal channels.
• Significance of India Post
  • During COVID-19, India Post delivered more than 2,000 tones of medical equipment and medicines to hospitals and individuals.
  • With more than 56,000 post offices, India Post delivered medicines at door steps.
  • Also, it provided financial assistance at door step.
  • India Post also distributed food and ration to achieve targets of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  • Also, Rs 500 crores were disbursed to more than 85 lakh beneficiaries through Aadhaar Enabled Payment System of the India Post Payments Bank.
  • India Post also distributed 6 lakh food and ration packets.
  • Indian Govt. disbursed more than Rs 1,100 crores of rupees through India Post Payment Banks.
  • India Post partnered with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to deliver COVID-19 testing kits to more than 200 labs in India.