5th AITIGA Joint Committee Meeting Marks Major Step in Strengthening ASEAN-India Trade Relations

Jakarta:  The 5th AITIGA Joint Committee and related meetings for the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) were held at the ASEAN Secretariat from July 29th to August 1st, 2024. This event marks a significant milestone in enhancing economic cooperation between ASEAN and India. The meeting was co-chaired by Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, India, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia. Delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries and India participated in the discussions.

The AITIGA Joint Committee initiated discussions for the review of AITIGA in May 2023. Following the finalization of its Terms of Reference and Negotiating Structure, the AITIGA JC and its Sub-Committees began negotiations in February 2024. The first two rounds of negotiations were held in New Delhi in February 2024 and in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in May 2024. The third round of negotiations in Jakarta saw all eight Sub-Committees—covering ‘National Treatment and Market Access,’ ‘Rules of Origin,’ ‘Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures,’ ‘Sanitary and Phytosanitary,’ ‘Legal and Institutional Issues,’ ‘Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation,’ ‘Trade Remedies,’ and ‘Economic and Technical Cooperation’—engage in substantive discussions, making significant progress.

Each Sub-Committee reported the outcomes of their discussions to the 5th AITIGA JC, which provided further guidance to steer their future work. This structured approach ensures that all relevant aspects of the agreement are thoroughly examined and refined to better serve the economic interests of both ASEAN and India.

On the sidelines of the 5th AITIGA JC meeting, the Indian delegation, led by Rajesh Agrawal, held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam to develop a common understanding of the issues being discussed in the AITIGA review. Additionally, separate meetings with ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Satvinder Singh focused on enhancing economic cooperation through the AITIGA review.

The Indian delegation also interacted with Indian businesses in Jakarta on July 31st over a dinner arranged by the Embassy of India in Jakarta. This engagement provided a platform for Indian businesses to share their experiences and expectations from the AITIGA review, ensuring that the agreement aligns with the needs of industry stakeholders.

ASEAN remains a crucial trade partner for India, accounting for about 11% of India’s global trade. The review of AITIGA, originally signed in 2009, is expected to create further opportunities for businesses on both sides, enhancing the level of trade between India and ASEAN.

The next meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee is scheduled to be held in India from November 19th to 22nd, 2024.