India pushes upgrade of ASEAN‑India trade pact ahead of Modi's Indonesia visit

India's foreign ministry announced that it is accelerating the review and upgrade of the ASEAN‑India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). The ten‑year‑old pact is deemed outdated and the revision aims to open markets, balance tariff benefits and boost the flow of goods between India and all ten ASEAN member states. The upgrade requires consensus from every ASEAN country and is a central priority of New Delhi’s "Eastward Action Policy".

The diplomatic push comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a two‑day visit to Indonesia on July 8‑9, where he will emphasize stronger ties with the regional bloc and pursue bilateral cooperation alongside the broader multilateral negotiations.