The Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary of Commerce Nitin Kumar Yadav, took part in the 14th EAS-EMM and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila. The meetings involved perspectives on regional and global economic developments, an ERIA paper on energy security and industrial clusters, and discussions on the ongoing review of AITIGA.
On September 24, 2026, the Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri 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. The meetings were attended by economic ministers or their representatives from all 11 ASEAN countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam — as well as EAS partners, including India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, Russia, and the United States.
The attendees exchanged perspectives on prevailing regional and global economic developments. The ASEAN Secretariat provided a briefing on the anticipated implications for trade and investment flows in 2027. During this discussion, it was revealed that bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 128.38 billion in 2025–26, accounting for 10.55 percent of India’s total global trade.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) 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 emphasized its commitment to fostering strong trade partnerships and ensuring mutual benefits from regional trade agreements. The discussions focused particularly on the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
Source:
Press Information Bureau
