India-ASEAN Economic Talks Focus on AITIGA Review, Trade & Energy Security

New Delhi, Sep 25 (KNN) India participated in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila, Philippines, with discussions focusing on regional economic developments, trade and investment.

The Indian delegation, led by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, participated in discussions on the regional and global economic outlook for 2027 and its expected impact on trade and investment flows.

At the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation, India highlighted the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), aimed at facilitating trade and addressing existing trade asymmetries.

India-ASEAN bilateral trade reached USD 128.38 billion in 2025–26, with ASEAN accounting for 10.55 per cent of India’s total global trade.

India said the AITIGA review should result in a balanced, effective, user-friendly and trade-facilitative agreement for businesses.

The meetings also covered energy security and industrial clusters, including an Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) paper on integrating energy infrastructure, digital and industrial demand, and trade and investment policies.

On the sidelines, the Indian delegation met Indian businesses operating in the Philippines on September 22 to discuss issues related to exports of goods and services. It also participated in the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026 on September 23.

(KNN Bureau)