Authors :
Johnson N J; Dr. Vijayan P K
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3naw5ar7
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may2115
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study examines India's trade dynamics with ASEAN over a 28-year period (1996–97 to 2023–24), analysing
import and export trends before and after the implementation of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) in 2010.
Using official trade data from India’s Department of Commerce, the research evaluates changes in trade volume, growth
rates, and sectoral patterns to assess AIFTA’s impact. The findings reveal that while the agreement contributed to moderate
export growth and greater trade stability, it failed to significantly alter structural trade imbalances or boost long-term
competitiveness. Key observations include a declining ASEAN import share despite the FTA, slowing export growth rates,
and a persistent trade deficit. The study concludes with policy recommendations for enhancing India-ASEAN trade relations
through deeper economic integration and competitiveness-building measures.
Keywords :
ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA), Trade Deficit, Export Growth, Import Diversification, Trade Policy.
References :
- Bajaj, P., & Sharma, A. (2022). Factors determining utilization of free trade agreements by Indian textile and clothing companies: A conceptual framework model. Paradigm: A Management Research Journal, 26(1), 70-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/09718907221102651
- Dawani, C., & Pareek, D. (2024). Analyzing India's export competitiveness in ASEAN economies: Insights from Viner's trade creation model. Journal of Asian Economic Integration, 6(1), 7-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/26316846241232832
- Dutt, I., Goel, A., Saxena, I., Dhopeshwarkar, M., Mahapatra, S., & Pathak, K. (2021). Assessing India's post-pandemic outlook on global engagements with reference to ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA). SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3813961
- Jagdambe, S., & Mouzam, S. M. (2019). Evaluating the trade, revenue and welfare implication of plantation crops under ASEAN-India FTA. Journal of Asian Economic Integration, 1(2), 224-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/2631684619882864
- Jena, D., & Saini, S. (2023). The impact of trade with ASEAN on India's employment in industrial sector. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 28(4), 1497-1519. https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2021.1976000
- Khati, P., & Kim, C. (2022). Impact of India's Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN on its goods exports: A gravity model analysis. Economies, 11(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11010008
- Khurana, R., & Nauriyal, D. K. (2017). ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement: Evaluating trade creation and trade diversion effects. Journal of East-West Business, 23(3), 283-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669868.2017.1322548
- Kumari, M. (2025). A review of ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement after a decade: Evidence from structural gravity model estimates. Journal of East-West Business, 31(1), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669868.2025.2465724
- Oberoi, S. (2019). Dynamics of trade specialization and trade performance of ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement. Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy, 10(1), 1950003. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793993319500036
- Sabu, S. S., & Anil, K. (2024). Evaluating the ASEAN-India FTA: Implications for India's black pepper trade. Plant Science Today, 11(sp3). https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4688
- Singh, L. B. (2021). Impact of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement: An assessment from the trade creation and trade diversion effects. Foreign Trade Review, 56(4), 400-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/00157325211021503
- Vebiyanto, S., & Atmanti, H. D. (2023). Impact of ASEAN Plus Five Free Trade Area: Trade creation and trade diversion. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan, 20(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.29259/jep.v20i2.18718
This study examines India's trade dynamics with ASEAN over a 28-year period (1996–97 to 2023–24), analysing
import and export trends before and after the implementation of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) in 2010.
Using official trade data from India’s Department of Commerce, the research evaluates changes in trade volume, growth
rates, and sectoral patterns to assess AIFTA’s impact. The findings reveal that while the agreement contributed to moderate
export growth and greater trade stability, it failed to significantly alter structural trade imbalances or boost long-term
competitiveness. Key observations include a declining ASEAN import share despite the FTA, slowing export growth rates,
and a persistent trade deficit. The study concludes with policy recommendations for enhancing India-ASEAN trade relations
through deeper economic integration and competitiveness-building measures.
Keywords :
ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA), Trade Deficit, Export Growth, Import Diversification, Trade Policy.