India Engages ASEAN & East Asia Economic Ministers’ Meetings

Ø India-ASEAN bilateral trade reaches USD 128.38 billion in 2025–26

· Participation: Indian delegation led by Nitin Kumar Yadav attended the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EAS-EMM) and 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila, Philippines.

· Regional Dialogue: Ministers from 11 ASEAN nations and EAS partners (India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia, US) discussed global and regional economic developments.

· Outlook & Research: ASEAN Secretariat presented 2027 economic outlook; ERIA shared paper on energy security and industrial clusters.

· India’s Commitment: India emphasized balanced, mutually beneficial trade agreements, focusing on the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

· Trade Milestone: India-ASEAN bilateral trade reached USD 128.38 billion in 2025–26, accounting for 10.55% of India’s global trade.

· Business Engagements: Indian delegation met Indian businesses in the Philippines (22 Sept) and joined the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026 (23 Sept).

[ABS News Service/25.09.2026]

The Indian delegation led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Nitin Kumar Yadav, participated in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation held in Manila, Philippines.

Economic Ministers or their representatives from all 11 ASEAN countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam — participated in the meetings along with EAS partners, including India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia and the United States.

The meetings facilitated an exchange of perspectives on prevailing regional and global economic developments. The ASEAN Secretariat provided a briefing on the regional and global economic outlook for 2027, including the anticipated implications for trade and investment flows.

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) also presented its paper, “Powering the EAS Region’s Next Wave of Growth: An Integrated Approach to Energy Security and Industrial Clusters.” The paper outlined an integrated approach to energy security and industrial clusters, bringing together energy infrastructure, digital and industrial demand, and coherent trade and investment policies.

During the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation, India highlighted its continued commitment to fostering strong trade partnerships and ensuring that regional trade agreements are mutually beneficial. The discussions placed particular focus on the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which is aimed at facilitating enhanced trade flows and addressing existing trade asymmetries.

In 2025–26, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128.38 billion, with ASEAN accounting for 10.55 per cent of India’s total global trade, underscoring the importance of the partnership.

India reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the outcome of the AITIGA review is mutually beneficial and makes the agreement balanced, more effective, user-friendly and trade facilitative for businesses.

On the sidelines of the meetings, the Indian delegation interacted with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines on 22 September 2026 and discussed the issues faced by them while exporting commodities and services. The delegation also participated in the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026, organised on 23 September 2026.