Next AITIGA review talks scheduled in Jakarta on October 6–7.
India-ASEAN bilateral trade hit $123 billion in FY25, strengthening ties.
India, Singapore discussed semiconductors, digital trade, and skills development collaboration.
Singapore remains India’s top ASEAN trade partner and key FDI contributor.
The next round of review talks for the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) is scheduled to be conducted on October 6 and 7 in Jakarta, the government said on Friday.
According to the commerce and industry ministry, the joint committee focused on advancing the ongoing review of the pact to enhance its effectiveness, accessibility as well as trade facilitation capabilities, Economic Times reported,
The 10th round of the negotiations were held from August 10 to 14 in New Delhi.
The ministry noted that the discussions built on the “progress achieved through eight active rounds of negotiations," while adding that delegates from all 10 ASEAN member states participated.
ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
"Bilateral trade reached $123 billion in FY25, reflecting the strong economic ties between the two sides and creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation in the years ahead," the ministry said.
Trade with Singapore
Releasing a separate statement, the commerce ministry said that India and Singapore reviewed the ongoing collaboration in semiconductor sector and digitalisation of trade and explored potential partnerships in skills development and capacity building.
The issues were discussed at the fourth meeting of the India-Singapore Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) held on August 14 in New Delhi.
"The discussions focused on identifying priority sectors for greater alignment, improving logistics and supply chains, streamlining regulatory frameworks and exploring ways to facilitate cross-border trade," the ministry noted.
Singapore has been India's largest trading partner within ASEAN with a total bilateral trade of $34.26 billion in FY25.
Additionally, it is also India's second-largest source of foreign direct investment with equity inflows of $163.85 billion between April 2000 and July 2024, accounting for about 24% of India's total inflows.
