Indian, ASEAN Officials to Begin Trade Pact Review on August 11

Quick Summary

• India is facing U.S. tariffs of 25% on its exports, effective August 7, 2025, prompting a reevaluation of trade strategies.
• From August 11-14, India will hold talks in New Delhi with ASEAN countries to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal previously criticized the AITIGA and raised concerns about it favoring India’s competitors and enabling Chinese goods to enter Indian markets via ASEAN nations.
• The review has gained urgency after officials from India and Malaysia agreed to “fast-track” negotiations during meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in July.
• Talks also address India’s growing trade deficit with ASEAN: from $12.9 billion in 2017-18 to $45.2 billion by 2024-25; imports vastly outpaced export growth.

– Exports: Grew at an annual rate of 1.7%, reaching $39 billion by 2024-25.
– Imports: Increased annually at a rate of 7.5%,rising to $84.2 billion during the same period.- Key inequality flagged: India opened access to ~71% tariff lines, while some ASEAN nations engaged much less (e.g., Indonesia at only ~41%).

– nine rounds of prior discussions since last year have yet to resolve these issues.

-A significant diplomatic event is under preparation for later this October’s regional/East Asia summit-held nrollment;”>