India and ASEAN Aim to Fast-Track Trade Pact Review, Next Talks Scheduled for January

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.