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ASEAN-India trade pact under review to create wider market access: Gotru
Jan-09-2026

India’s Ambassador to ASEAN Srinivas Gotru has said that the ASEAN-India trade pact is being comprehensively reviewed to make it more trade- facilitating, balanced, and responsive framework aligned with current economic realities. He said the Department of Commerce is leading the talks to modernise the pact and expressed hope that the review would conclude at the earliest.

He noted that if a conclusion happens this year, it could unlock significant value and improve market access for both economies from the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). He said the idea is to make this agreement more responsive to current economic realities, adding that the government is urging ASEAN partners to conclude it swiftly. Emphasising the depth of the relationship, he said trade between India and ASEAN stood at around $123 billion in FY25, making the regional bloc one of India’s most important economic partners. He added that cumulative Indian foreign investment into the region has reached nearly $30 billion over the past two decades. Moreover, he noted the region attracts about $200 billion in annual foreign direct investment, making it one of the most vibrant economic zones globally.

Beyond traditional trade, he urged Indian businesses to closely follow the ASEAN Vision 2045 and the proposed Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA). The DEFA, currently in the final stages of negotiation, aims to create an integrated digital marketplace by enabling cross-border data flows and interoperable digital payments. Besides, he said ASEAN is not a short-term opportunity but a long-term strategy for India, and identified manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, renewable energy and logistics as key sectors for Indian companies.


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