India and Philippines Strengthen Trade Ties, Discuss PTA and AITIGA Review

Ø India, Philippines Explore New Avenues of Cooperation in Infrastructure, Digital Technologies and Pharmaceuticals

Ø India and Philippines Discuss Strengthening Trade Framework Through ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Review and Preferential Trade Agreement

Key Highlights

· The 14th India–Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) meeting was held on 5 June 2026 in Manila.

· The meeting was co-chaired by:

o Amit Verma

o Allan B. Gepty

· Representatives from various ministries, departments, and organizations of both countries participated.

Strong Growth in Bilateral Trade

· India and the Philippines acknowledged the robust growth in bilateral trade.

· Bilateral trade reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025–26, reflecting a strong upward trend.

· Discussions focused on:

o Trade and investment trends.

o Priority products and services.

o Business promotion and market access opportunities.

New Areas of Cooperation Identified

Both countries explored collaboration in several high-growth sectors:

· Film and creative industries.

· Energy and renewable energy.

· Construction and infrastructure.

· ICT, IT-BPM, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

· Pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

Focus on Trade Facilitation

Key measures discussed to improve the business environment included:

· Customs cooperation and trade facilitation.

· Agricultural cooperation and market access.

· Trade settlement in national currencies.

· Reducing barriers to bilateral trade and investment.

Trade Agreement Discussions

· Both sides emphasized the importance of the early conclusion of the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement.

· They also discussed future engagement on a bilateral India–Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) after completion of the AITIGA review.

· These initiatives are expected to strengthen market access and enhance trade flows between the two countries.

Engagement with Indian Businesses

· On the sidelines of the JWGTI meeting, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on 4 June 2026.

· Discussions covered:

o Investment opportunities.

o Business challenges.

o Market expansion prospects.

o Measures to strengthen commercial ties.

Strategic Significance

· The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to:

o Expand trade in goods and services.

o Promote investment cooperation.

o Strengthen economic resilience.

o Build a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.

Key Takeaways

· Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025–26.

· Infrastructure, digital technologies, AI, pharmaceuticals, energy, and film emerged as key areas for future cooperation.

· Both countries support the early completion of the AITIGA review and discussions on a future bilateral PTA.

· Trade facilitation, customs cooperation, and national currency settlement mechanisms were important agenda items.

· The next JWGTI meeting will be hosted in New Delhi.

Conclusion

The 14th India–Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment reinforced the growing economic partnership between the two countries. With expanding trade, interest in new growth sectors, and discussions on stronger trade agreements, both nations are positioning themselves for deeper economic integration and enhanced regional cooperation.

[ABS News Service/06.06.2026]

The fourteenth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) was convened on 05 June 2026, in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Amit Verma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India, and Mr. Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry, International Trade Group. Representatives of concerned Ministries, Departments, and Organisations also participated through video conferencing.

Both sides acknowledged the robust growth of bilateral trade between India and the Philippines, which reached USD 3.9 billion in 2025–26, demonstrating a strong upward trajectory. Discussions covered trends in bilateral trade and investment, identification of priority products and services, and promotional activities and cooperation across various fields. The meeting also explored potential areas of collaboration in diverse sectors such as film, energy, construction and infrastructure, ICT/IT-BPM/AI, and pharmaceuticals. Both sides agreed that deeper cooperation in these areas could deliver sustained long-term benefits, enabling each country to pursue its developmental goals more effectively while reinforcing a framework of mutual support.

Improving the business environment to facilitate trade was another key focus. Discussions covered customs cooperation and facilitation, agricultural cooperation and market access for specific products, and trade settlement in national currencies.

The meeting also discussed the early conclusion of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Review, and the engagement for a bilateral India–Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) thereafter.

Overall, the meeting underscored the strategic importance of strengthening bilateral economic ties, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to building a more dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership.

On the sidelines of the 14th JWGTI, an interaction with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines was held on 04 June 2026, providing a platform for discussions on trade, investment, market opportunities, and ways to further deepen India–Philippines commercial ties.

The next meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) will be held in New Delhi, India. The JWGTI meeting served as a platform for India and the Philippines to exchange perspectives on global, regional, and bilateral developments, with a strong emphasis on enhancing trade in goods and services and investment ties.