Hanoi (VNA) – India is stepping up cooperation with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to accelerate the review and upgrade of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on July 3, describing the initiative as a key priority under the country's Act East Policy.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from July 8–11, Secretary (East) in the MEA Rudrendra Tandon said the AITIGA upgrade is a multilateral process involving all ASEAN member states.
Tandon noted that the agreement, signed more than a decade ago, no longer adequately reflects current economic realities in India and ASEAN. The existing pact also provides different tariff preferences for individual member countries. The ongoing review therefore aims to further liberalise trade, facilitate the movement of goods and deliver more balanced benefits for both sides.
He stressed that completing the upgrade requires consensus among all ASEAN members. New Delhi is maintaining regular dialogue with regional partners to advance the negotiations while continuing to strengthen bilateral ties with individual ASEAN countries. However, he declined to disclose further details, noting that the discussions remain part of a multilateral negotiation process.
As scheduled, Modi will visit Indonesia on July 8–9, focusing on reviewing bilateral cooperation and strengthening engagement with ASEAN./.
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