India and ASEAN push to upgrade AITIGA, aiming for smoother trade and stronger economic ties at the New Delhi meet.
New Delhi became the centre of high-level trade diplomacy as India hosted the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee from August 10–14, 2025, at Vanijya Bhawan. Co-chaired by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Malaysia, the hybrid-format discussions brought together delegates from all ten ASEAN nations.
The talks focused on fast-tracking the ongoing review of AITIGA to make it more effective, accessible, and trade-friendly, building on eight rounds of negotiations already completed. On the sidelines, seven key sub-committees, covering areas like customs, rules of origin, trade remedies, standards, and market access, met to iron out technical details and align efforts for a modernised agreement.
With ASEAN accounting for about 11% of India’s global trade and bilateral volumes hitting USD 123 billion in 2024–25, the stakes are high for both sides.
The momentum will continue with the next Joint Committee meeting scheduled for October 6–7, 2025, in Jakarta, hosted by Malaysia.
Source: PIB
