India Participates in East Asia Summit and ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations in Manila

An Indian delegation, led by Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Nitin Kumar Yadav, participated in significant economic meetings in Manila, Philippines. These included the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations.

Ministers from all 11 ASEAN member countries attended these meetings. Additionally, representatives from key EAS partner nations such as India, the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and Australia were present. The discussions primarily focused on the current state of regional and global economic development.

The ASEAN Secretariat presented an economic outlook for 2027, analyzing the expected impacts on trade and investment. Furthermore, the ERIA presented a research paper on energy security and industrial clusters, providing a framework for integrated growth.

During the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations, India emphasized making regional trade agreements mutually beneficial. Specifically, the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) was highlighted to improve trade flows and reduce existing imbalances.

According to data, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached 128.38 billion USD in 2025-26. ASEAN's share in India's total global trade stands at 10.55 percent, reflecting the depth of this partnership.

India reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the AITIGA review results in a balanced and more effective outcome for businesses. The government aims to craft agreements that make trade smoother and more user-friendly.

Beyond the formal meetings, the Indian delegation also met with Indian entrepreneurs working in the Philippines. They discussed challenges faced in exports and also participated in the ASEAN-India Business Forum 2026, held on September 23.