India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to speed up negotiations on unresolved chapters in the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), with both sides setting deadlines to make progress and update the existing trade framework. The decision was reached during the 15th meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 6 to 9, according to a statement released by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday.

During the meeting, the Joint Committee urged all sub-committees to accelerate discussions on outstanding chapters and improve coordination to achieve concrete results. The initiative aims to address unresolved policy matters, strengthen economic cooperation and facilitate closer trade relations between India and ASEAN member countries.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to developing a balanced, constructive and forward-looking agreement that supports bilateral trade and delivers mutual benefits, the ministry said. The next meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee is scheduled to take place in India in January 2027 in a hybrid format. Participants will assess the progress made by the sub-committees and outline further steps to help conclude the negotiations within a reasonable timeframe.

The meeting was co-chaired by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in India's Department of Commerce, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade) at Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. Representatives from all 10 ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — took part in the discussions, which were conducted in a hybrid format.

Alongside the main meeting, three of the eight sub-committees under the AITIGA Joint Committee held separate discussions. These covered Legal and Institutional Issues, National Treatment on Market Access, and Rules of Origin. The parallel meetings allowed officials to examine outstanding matters, improve mutual understanding and maintain dialogue on key aspects of the proposed trade agreement.

The AITIGA review is intended to modernise the existing trade arrangement and address issues that have emerged during its implementation. The latest round of negotiations focused on moving forward with unresolved chapters and establishing clearer timelines for further progress. The January 2027 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to evaluate the work completed so far and set the direction for the next phase of negotiations, as India and ASEAN work towards concluding the review of the trade agreement.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has encouraged American manufacturers to increase their investments in India, collaborate with Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and explore joint opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Goyal made the appeal while addressing a business roundtable organised by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), which brought together representatives from both large and smaller manufacturing companies from across the United States.

In a post on X, the minister said discussions focused on the growing momentum in India-US economic relations. He highlighted India's expanding manufacturing ecosystem and skilled workforce, while encouraging US companies to examine new investment and partnership opportunities in the country. Goyal said American manufacturers could play a greater role in strengthening bilateral supply chains by working with Indian SMEs and pursuing joint investments in advanced manufacturing. According to him, such cooperation could help create more resilient supply networks while generating economic value for both India and the United States.

The remarks come as New Delhi and Washington continue discussions on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. Goyal had earlier indicated that negotiations were nearing completion, saying the pact could move forward once India receives a competitive position in the US market compared with other trading partners.

A senior US State Department official separately said the trade agreement was around 90 per cent complete, with the remaining issues requiring further negotiations. The official also described the agreement as a key outstanding issue in the broader bilateral relationship and suggested that its completion could give further momentum to India-US ties.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has similarly described the negotiations as being at an advanced stage. However, he has pointed to changes in US tariff policies and the ongoing Section 301 process as factors that could influence the timeline. Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 gives the US Trade Representative authority to investigate foreign trade practices that are considered unfair or harmful to US commercial interests and, where applicable, impose trade measures.

Against this backdrop, Goyal's outreach to American manufacturers reflects India's broader push to attract investment, strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and integrate Indian companies into global supply chains. Greater cooperation between US manufacturers and Indian SMEs could also provide opportunities for technology transfer, local production and expansion into international markets.

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The proposed India-US trade deal is taking longer to finalise as both sides continue to work through differences over tariffs, market access and changes in American trade policy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Jaishankar said the negotiations have progressed substantially, but the complexity of the issues involved has made the process more difficult.

He pointed to differences between the two economies as one of the factors that need to be considered during the negotiations. India has a large number of small farmers, manufacturers and businesses whose interests need to be taken into account while deciding market-access commitments. Changes in US tariff policy have also added uncertainty to the talks. Washington's evolving trade measures have created additional issues that need to be addressed before the agreement can be concluded.

Jaishankar also referred to the ongoing US Section 301 process, which can lead to investigations and possible trade measures. The issue has become part of the broader discussions between the two countries as they seek to settle the terms of the proposed agreement. The tariff structure is particularly important for Indian exporters seeking greater access to the US market. New Delhi has been seeking competitive tariff treatment for Indian products so that exporters are not placed at a disadvantage compared with suppliers from other countries.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is also scheduled to visit the United States from September 29 to October 5. During his visit, he is expected to hold discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the bilateral trade agreement. India and the US had announced a framework for the first phase of the trade agreement earlier this year. The proposed arrangement is aimed at expanding market access and strengthening bilateral trade while protecting sensitive sectors of the Indian economy. The latest comments from Jaishankar indicate that negotiations remain active, although there is no confirmed date for the finalisation of the agreement. Both sides are continuing discussions on the outstanding trade and tariff issues before moving toward a final arrangement.

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The Indian rupee is expected to remain in the range of Rs 94.5 to Rs 96 against the US dollar in the near term, according to a research report by Bank of Baroda. The report said substantial dollar inflows through Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits and External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) have not resulted in a corresponding appreciation of the rupee because much of the incoming foreign currency has been absorbed into the Reserve Bank of India's foreign exchange reserves.

According to the report, the rupee's movement is being influenced by several factors at the same time, including economic fundamentals, RBI intervention and market sentiment. This makes it difficult to link changes in the exchange rate to any single factor. Based on the current market conditions, the report expects the rupee to remain within the Rs 94.5-96 range in the near term.

The report noted that the additional dollar inflows could theoretically have provided stronger support to the rupee. However, since the funds have largely been added to the country's foreign exchange reserves instead of being released into the market, their impact on the currency has been limited.

The rupee has experienced a significant decline over the past few years. Its average exchange rate moved from Rs 74.44 per US dollar in January 2022 to Rs 95.47 in August 2026, representing a depreciation of around 28 per cent. During the same period, the US dollar gained about 2.4 per cent against the euro, while the Japanese yen, Indonesian rupiah and South Korean won weakened by approximately 38 per cent, 24 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.

Bank of Baroda's research examined monthly currency movements between January 2022 and June 2026. The analysis considered changes in foreign exchange reserves, RBI operations in the spot and forward markets, foreign portfolio investor flows and movements in the dollar-euro exchange rate. The study found that RBI intervention through spot and forward market operations had a notable relationship with movements in the rupee. When both forms of intervention were considered together, they explained around 34 per cent of the variation in the currency. Spot intervention alone accounted for about 25 per cent, while forward operations explained roughly 19 per cent.

At the same time, changes in foreign exchange reserves had relatively limited explanatory power, accounting for around 18 per cent of rupee movements. This suggests that a rise in forex reserves following large dollar inflows does not necessarily result in a significant immediate change in the exchange rate.

Foreign portfolio investment flows were found to be relevant when assessed independently, but their significance declined when other factors were included in the analysis. The report therefore concluded that the rupee is influenced by multiple factors operating through different channels rather than by one dominant variable.

The variables included in the study explained less than 40 per cent of the overall movement in the rupee. The remaining variation was attributed to factors that are more difficult to measure, including market sentiment and the timing of foreign currency purchases by importers and exporters, as well as remittance flows. With these factors continuing to influence the currency market, the Bank of Baroda report expects the rupee to remain broadly within the Rs 94.5-96 per dollar range in the near term.

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Modern buildings often represent a heavy reliance on resource extraction and high-carbon construction. But could shifting away from emissions-intensive concrete toward sustainably sourced timber offer a more environmentally responsible way to build the cities of tomorrow?

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Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled Treasury’s 40-year economic projections as part of the Albanese government’s second Intergenerational Report. The report highlights several long-term challenges facing Australia, including shifting geopolitical conditions, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and a significant demographic change, with deaths expected to exceed births within the coming decades. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy and economics editor Patrick Commins, Chalmers discussed the outlook for the Australian economy and explained why he believes Labor’s policy plans can help the country adapt to an increasingly uncertain future.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Oil markets are coming under renewed strain after attacks disrupted Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, an important alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. With Brent and WTI crude prices climbing above US$100 per barrel and fuel costs continuing to rise, concerns are growing over the resilience of global oil supplies. Susan Ng speaks with Jaime Brito, Executive Director of Refining and Oil Markets at Dow Jones Energy, about the potential impact of a prolonged disruption on Singapore and wider Asian markets.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The White House has announced the threat of sanctions against countries that continue to conduct trade with Iran, intensifying Washington’s efforts to put further economic pressure on Tehran as its military campaign faces mounting challenges. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled what he described as “Operation Economic Outcast”, drawing a comparison with the historic D-Day invasion to underline the scale of the economic measures being pursued against Iran. The strategy aims to deepen Iran’s economic isolation by discouraging other countries from maintaining commercial ties with Tehran. However, China, Iran’s largest trading partner, has already indicated that it is unlikely to support or comply with President Donald Trump’s efforts to target the Iranian economy. The latest measures come as the Trump administration looks to increase pressure on Tehran and force an end to the conflict. The move raises questions over how effective the economic campaign will be and whether Washington can persuade major trading partners to join its strategy. Lucy Hough discusses the latest developments with Julian Borger, senior international correspondent, examining the US pressure campaign, China’s position and what the economic escalation could mean for the wider conflict.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.