News: India hosted the 13th AITIGA Joint Committee Meeting and related sub-committee meetings at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key Highlights

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and ASEAN for trade in goods.
• Signed: 13 August 2009 | Effective: 1 January 2010.
• Covers India and all 10 ASEAN Member States.
• Aims to reduce tariffs, boost trade, strengthen regional value chains, and deepen economic integration.
• Ongoing review seeks to make the agreement more balanced, trade-facilitative, and beneficial for Indian industry.

Key Functions

• Market Access & National Treatment (SC-NTMA): Ensures fair treatment of imported goods and reduces non-tariff barriers.
• Rules of Origin (SC-ROO): Prevents misuse of FTA benefits by verifying product origin.
• Customs & Trade Facilitation (SC-CPTF): Simplifies customs procedures and promotes digital trade.
• Standards Harmonisation: Aligns SPS and TBT measures to facilitate smoother trade.