India Eyes PTA with PHL to Narrow ASEAN Trade Gap

India is betting on a possible preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the Philippines to reduce the gap in trading levels relative to other ASEAN countries, India’s Ambassador said. “The Philippines is a big economy… but India’s bilateral trade with the Philippines is just 3% of our trade with the ASEAN,” Ambassador Shri Harsh Kumar Jain told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Business Forum on Wednesday. “That means there is an opportunity for increasing this trade relationship,” he said. On the sidelines of the forum, Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said Philippine negotiations for a PTA with India will likely start by next year. Mr. Jain said negotiations will likely begin after the review of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which could be finished by next year. “Right now, we are waiting for the ATIGA review to be completed, then we can start negotiations (with the Philippines)” he said. Last week, ASEAN issued a declaration allowing any country in the bloc to voluntarily implement the upgraded ATIGA ahead of its coming into force in June 2027. The upgraded ATIGA makes it easier to comply with administrative requirements on self-declaration of origin, with the implementation of the Electronic Certificate of Origin and the acceptance of digital documentation. Total trade between the Philippines and India was valued at $3.55 billion in 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz