India Hosts 10th AITIGA Joint Committee

Context:

India hosted the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee in New Delhi from 10–14 August 2025 to advance the review of the agreement.

ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA):

Signed in 2009 and came into force in 2010, it forms the legal foundation for trade in goods between India and ASEAN nations. The current review aims to make the agreement more trade facilitative, transparent, and mutually beneficial.

Importance of ASEAN for India:

ASEAN accounts for around 11% of India’s global trade. Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 123 billion in 2024–25, highlighting ASEAN’s role as India’s key regional partner.

Institutional Framework:

The AITIGA Joint Committee oversees the agreement’s functioning. Under it, 8 Sub-Committees exist, of which 7 met during the recent session. These sub-committees cover critical areas:
- Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation (SC-CPTF)
- Legal and Institutional Issues (SC-LII)
- National Treatment and Market Access (SC-NTMA)
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SC-SPS)
- Rules of Origin (SC-ROO)
- Standards, Technical Regulations, and Conformity Assessment Procedures (SC-STRACAP)
- Trade Remedies (SC-TR)

Strategic Significance:

The review aligns with India’s Act East Policy and aims to ensure greater market access, balanced concessions, and removal of non-tariff barriers.

ASEAN

Establishment & Membership

Founded on 8 August 1967 by the Bangkok Declaration.
Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
Later joined by: Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Lao PDR (1997), Myanmar (1997), Cambodia (1999) ? 10 members in total.
HQ:Jakarta, Indonesia.

Objectives

Promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Facilitate economic, political, security, socio-cultural, and technological cooperation.
Build a rules-based, people-oriented community.

Key ASEAN Agreements & Initiatives

ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) – 1992, promotes tariff reduction.
ASEAN Charter (2008) – gave legal personality and binding framework.
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) – aims for a single market and production base.
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) – security dialogue including external partners like India, USA, China.

ASEAN–India Relations

Sectoral Dialogue Partner (1992) ? Full Dialogue Partner (1996) ? Strategic Partnership (2012).
ASEAN–India FTA in Goods (2009; in force from 2010), Services & Investment (2015).
ASEAN accounts for ~11% of India’s trade (2024–25: USD 123 billion).
Platforms: ASEAN–India Summit, East Asia Summit, ADMM+ (Defence Ministers), AITIGA Review (Trade in Goods Agreement).