India-ASEAN Bilateral Trade Reaches $128.38 Billion as India Participates in Economic Ministers' Meeting in Manila
A Indian delegation led by Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Nitin Kumar Yadav, participated in the 14th East Asia Summit and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation in Manila.
An Indian delegation participated in the Economic Ministers' Meeting of the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation held in Manila, Philippines. The delegation was led by Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce. These meetings saw participation from economic ministers or representatives of all 11 ASEAN member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam—alongside EAS partners including India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia, and the United States.
During the meetings, current regional and global economic developments were discussed. The ASEAN Secretariat presented the regional and global economic outlook for the year 2027, highlighting potential impacts on trade and investment flows. Additionally, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) presented a research paper titled "Powering the EAS Region's Next Wave of Growth: An Integrated Approach to Energy Security and Industrial Cluster." This paper outlined an integrated approach to energy infrastructure, digital and industrial demand, and trade policies for energy security and industrial clusters.
In the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation, India expressed its commitment to fostering strong trade partnerships and making regional trade agreements mutually beneficial. Special discussions were held regarding the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), aimed at increasing trade flow and addressing trade imbalances. India emphasized that the outcome of the AITIGA review should be balanced, effective, and user-friendly to facilitate smoother trade.
According to data, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached 128.38 billion US dollars in the year 2025-26. ASEAN's share in India's total global trade stood at 10.55 percent.
Apart from official meetings, the Indian delegation met with Indian businesses operating in the Philippines on September 22, 2026, to discuss challenges faced in the export of goods and services. Furthermore, the delegation participated in the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026 held on September 23, 2026.
