The 15th AITIGA Joint Committee meeting in Jakarta focused on pending chapters, time-bound targets and modernising the trade agreement
New Delhi, October 9: India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to accelerate negotiations to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), with a focus on resolving outstanding issues and strengthening bilateral trade ties.
The 15th meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 6 to 9, 2026. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format and brought together delegates from India and ASEAN member countries to review progress and discuss the way forward.
The meeting was co-chaired by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade) at Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
Delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the discussions.
Three Sub-Committees Hold Parallel Meetings
Alongside the Joint Committee meeting, three of the eight AITIGA sub-committees held hybrid meetings to advance discussions on specific aspects of the agreement.
These included the Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SC-LII), the Sub-Committee on National Treatment on Market Access (SC-NTMA), and the Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin (SC-ROO).
The meetings provided a platform for both sides to exchange views, improve mutual understanding and continue negotiations on key trade-related matters.
Focus on Pending Chapters and Time-Bound Targets
The Joint Committee directed all sub-committees to expedite work on pending chapters under the AITIGA review. It called for clear, time-bound deliverables and closer coordination to ensure measurable progress in the negotiations.
India and ASEAN reiterated their commitment to a balanced and constructive agreement that reflects the interests of both sides. They also emphasised the need to resolve outstanding policy issues, deepen economic integration and modernise the existing framework to make it more mutually beneficial.
The review is aimed at strengthening the trade relationship between India and ASEAN by updating the agreement to better address current economic and commercial priorities.
Next AITIGA Meeting in India in January 2027
The next meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee is scheduled to take place in India in January 2027 in hybrid mode.
The meeting will review progress made by the sub-committees and provide further guidance to help conclude the negotiations in a timely manner.
The latest round marks another step in ongoing efforts by India and ASEAN to improve the trade framework and reinforce economic cooperation between the two sides.
