PIB · Government of India ·

India Participates in the 14th East Asia Summit and 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations in Manila

Distilled Policy Brief

  • An Indian delegation led by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, participated in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation held in Manila, Philippines.
  • Bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached 128.38 billion US dollars in 2025-26, accounting for 10.55 percent of India's total global trade, with discussions centering on the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
  • The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) presented a research paper focusing on energy security, industrial clusters, digital and industrial demand, and coherent trade and investment policies for the EAS region.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

The 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation were held in Manila, Philippines. India-ASEAN bilateral trade stood at 128.38 billion US dollars in 2025-26.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Evaluate the strategic and economic significance of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) review in addressing trade imbalances and enhancing resilient supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

International Relations

With reference to the recent participation of the Indian delegation in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting (EAS-EMM) and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers' Consultation, consider the following statements: 1. The meetings were held in Manila, Philippines. 2. The bilateral trade between India and ASEAN in 2025-26 reached over 128 billion US dollars, accounting for more than 10 percent of India's total global trade. 3. The ongoing review specifically focuses on the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to address trade imbalances. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • [A] 1 and 2 only
  • [B] 2 and 3 only
  • [C] 1 and 3 only
  • [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [D] 1, 2 and 3

All the given statements are correct based on the policy briefing. The meetings took place in Manila, Philippines, under the leadership of the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce. In 2025-26, India-ASEAN bilateral trade reached 128.38 billion US dollars, which constitutes 10.55 percent of India's total global trade, and the discussions heavily centered on reviewing the AITIGA to enhance trade flows and address trade imbalances.

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Act East Policy: Evolution from India's 'Look East Policy' initiated in 1992 to strategic, economic, and security-centric integration with Southeast Asian nations.
ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA): The overarching framework agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation signed in 2003, leading to the operationalization of the Trade in Goods Agreement in 2010.