India Hosts 13th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Joint Committee Meeting to Advance ASEAN-India Trade Pact Review
India hosted the 13th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Joint Committee meeting at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi from July 6 to 10, 2026, to review progress under the AITIGA Review. The meetings are being held in a hybrid format and aim to deepen cooperation between India and ASEAN. Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128 billion during 2025-26.
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The 13th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee meeting was held from July 6 to 10, 2026, in New Delhi.
- 02The AITIGA Review is aimed at reviewing the progress of negotiations under the agreement.
- 03Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128 billion during 2025-26.
- 04ASEAN accounts for around 11 per cent of India's global trade.
- 05The meetings were co-chaired by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, and Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia, Ms. Mastura Ahmad Mustafa.
- 06Three Sub-Committees under the AITIGA Joint Committee are currently being held on the sidelines of the 13th Joint Committee meeting: SC-CPTF, SC-NTMA, and SC-ROO.
- 07The Joint Committee urged the Sub-Committees to expedite the finalisation of outstanding chapters under the AITIGA Review.
Trap alerts
- Most people think ASEAN is a country, but actually it's an intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries.
- Most people think India and ASEAN have a free trade agreement, but actually they are reviewing the progress of negotiations under the AITIGA Review.
- Most people think the AITIGA Review is focused on increasing tariffs between India and ASEAN, but actually it's aimed at deepening cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding.
Current-affairs link
The Government of India has launched the 'Act East Policy' to promote economic growth and development in the northeastern states through increased trade and investment with Southeast Asia, including ASEAN countries.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the role of regional trading agreements like AITIGA in promoting economic integration and cooperation among member countries.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
What was the number of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Joint Committee Meeting hosted by India?
- A.12th
- B.13th
- C.14th
- D.15th
India hosted the 13th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee meeting. This was a key event to review the progress of negotiations under the AITIGA Review.
Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN has been increasing over the years. Statement-II: The bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128 billion during 2025–26, reflecting the strong economic partnership between the two sides. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement-1 is correct because it reflects a general trend in the source, which mentions that bilateral trade between India and ASEAN has been increasing. However, Statement-2 does not explain why this trend is occurring; rather, it provides specific data supporting the trend.