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Key Points

India hosted ASEAN delegates for the 10th AITIGA review to modernize the 14-year-old trade agreement. The hybrid meetings covered customs, product standards, and market access reforms across seven sub-committees. With $123B in annual trade, both sides aim to streamline processes ahead of October talks in Jakarta. Malaysia will lead the next phase of negotiations in Indonesia.

Key Points: India Hosts 10th AITIGA Trade Review Meeting With ASEAN Nations

  • India co-chaired hybrid talks with ASEAN on AITIGA trade pact modernization
  • Delegates from 10 nations discussed customs, SPS norms, and market access
  • Seven sub-committees addressed technical trade barriers and legal frameworks
  • Bilateral India-ASEAN trade hit $123B in 2024-25, driving pact revisions
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India hosts 10th AITIGA review meeting in New Delhi

India and ASEAN members discuss AITIGA trade pact upgrades in New Delhi, aiming to boost $123B bilateral trade through improved customs and market access.

"The AITIGA review aims to enhance trade facilitation and deepen economic ties between India and ASEAN – Ministry of Commerce & Industry"

New Delhi, August 15

India hosted the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee and related sessions at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, from August 10 to 14, 2025, according to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement. The gathering brought together delegates from all ten ASEAN member states to push forward the review of the 14-year-old trade pact.

The meetings, held in a hybrid format, were co-chaired by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia.

Representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam attended.

At the heart of the discussions was the ongoing review of AITIGA, aimed at improving its effectiveness, accessibility, and trade facilitation capabilities. This review builds on the progress from eight previous rounds of negotiations.

Seven of the eight sub-committees under the AITIGA joint committee also convened alongside the main meeting. These included the sub-committee on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation (SC-CPTF), Legal and Institutional Issues (SC-LII), National Treatment and Market Access (SC-NTMA), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SC-SPS), Rules of Origin (SC-ROO), Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (SC-STRACAP), and Trade Remedies (SC-TR). Their deliberations addressed technical issues ranging from product standards to customs processes, forming the groundwork for the main committee's decisions.

ASEAN continues to be a major trade partner for India, accounting for roughly 11 per cent of the country's global trade. Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 123 billion in 2024-25, underlining the scale and potential of the relationship.

The next AITIGA Joint Committee meeting is set for October 6-7, 2025, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Malaysia as host. The outcomes of the New Delhi talks will form the basis for the next phase of negotiations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
$123 billion trade is impressive but we can do better! ASEAN countries have been benefiting more from this agreement so far. Our negotiators should push for better terms for Indian exporters, especially in agriculture and textiles.
A
Aman W
The hybrid format is smart - saves costs and reduces carbon footprint. More international meetings should follow this model. Though nothing beats face-to-face negotiations for building trust!
S
Shreya B
As a small business owner exporting handicrafts, I hope they simplify customs procedures. Currently it takes 3x longer to ship to ASEAN than to Europe. The SC-CPTF should prioritize this!
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Vikram M
While trade is important, we must ensure our domestic industries are protected. Some ASEAN countries dump cheap goods in our market. The Trade Remedies sub-committee has big responsibility.
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Kavitha C
Good progress but negotiations seem too slow. 14 years is too long for a review! In this fast-changing global economy, we need quicker decision making. Hope the Jakarta meeting brings concrete results 🤞
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Nikhil C
The focus on technical regulations is crucial. Many Indian products get rejected in ASEAN markets due to differing standards. Mutual recognition agreements would be game-changing for our pharma and food industries.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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