15 hrs ago
India and ASEAN Fast-Track Trade Pact Review Negotiations
India and the countries in ASEAN are working to update their trade agreement.
They agreed to move the talks faster and gave groups working on different parts of the agreement clear targets.
The latest meeting took place in Jakarta from October 6 to 9.
The countries will meet again in India in January 2027 to check how much progress has been made.
India had asked for a review because it felt it was not gaining enough from the agreement.
Its trade deficit with ASEAN rose from $4.98 billion in 2010–11 to $51.54 billion in 2025–26.
The review had previously been given a deadline of the end of 2025, but that target was missed.
India and ASEAN agreed to speed up negotiations on outstanding chapters of their trade agreement review.
The decision came at the 15th AITIGA Joint Committee meeting in Jakarta, held October 6–9.
The committee directed eight sub-committees to accelerate talks and set time-bound deliverables.
The next Joint Committee meeting is scheduled for January 2027 in India, in a hybrid format.
The review follows concerns about limited Indian gains and a trade deficit that grew to $51.54 billion in 2025–26.
- Who
- India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), represented by their trade delegations.
- What
- They agreed to accelerate negotiations to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and set time-bound deliverables.
- Where
- The latest meeting was in Jakarta; the next meeting will be held in India in a hybrid format.
- When
- At the 15th Joint Committee meeting held October 6–9; the next meeting is planned for January 2027.
- Why
- India sought the review because it considered its gains from the agreement limited as its trade deficit with ASEAN widened.
India's concerns
ASEAN-India trade framework
Whether the agreement has delivered balanced gains
India's concerns
India sought a review, citing limited expected benefits and a sharply widening trade deficit with ASEAN.
ASEAN-India trade framework
The article describes ASEAN as a major trading partner and says the relationship spans multiple sectors, but does not report an ASEAN position on India's concerns.
Pace of the review
India's concerns
The review process missed its previous end-2025 completion target, and India is now seeking faster progress.
ASEAN-India trade framework
The sides have agreed to expedite talks, set time-bound deliverables and direct the sub-committees to coordinate closely.
Key facts
- Agreement under review
- ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)
- Meeting
- 15th AITIGA Joint Committee meeting
- Meeting dates
- October 6–9
- Meeting location
- Jakarta
- Negotiating groups
- Eight sub-committees were directed to accelerate negotiations
- Next meeting
- January 2027 in India, in a hybrid format
- Trade deficit
- India's deficit with ASEAN increased from $4.98 billion in 2010–11 to $51.54 billion in 2025–26
- Previous target
- The sides had aimed to complete the review by the end of 2025, but missed the deadline
Sources
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