1. India’s engagement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) started with its "Look East Policy" in the year 1991. ASEAN has a membership of 10 countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992 and Full Dialogue Partner in 1996. In November 2001, the ASEAN-India relationship was upgraded to the summit level.
   
   
2. The 1^st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) – India Consultations were held on 15^th September 2002 in Brunei Darussalam where the Ministers, after discussing the Joint Study Report decided to establish an ASEAN-India Economic Linkages Task Force (AIELTF). The AIELTF was asked to prepare a draft Framework Agreement to enhance the ASEAN-India trade and economic cooperation before the 2^nd AEM – India Consultations. Subsequently, at the First ASEAN-India Summit held on 5 November 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the erstwhile Prime Minister of India made the following major announcements:-

1. India will extend special & differential trade treatment to ASEAN countries, based on their levels of development to improve their market access to India;
   
   
2. FTA within 10 years timeframe;

3. A Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India was signed by the Prime Minster of India and the Heads of Nation/Governments of ASEAN members during the Second ASEAN – India Summit on 8th October 2003 in Bali, Indonesia.
   
   
4. The key elements of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India cover FTA in Goods, Services and Investment, as well as Areas of Economic Cooperation. The Agreement also provided for an Early Harvest Programme (EHP) which covers areas of Economic Cooperation and a common list of items for exchange of tariff concessions as a confidence building measure. Due to difference of opinion on Rules of Origin, the EHP, agreed under the Framework Agreement, on Goods could not be implemented.

Current Status

5. The ASEAN-India Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) was constituted and 23 meetings have been held so far. India and the ASEAN have signed the following Agreements on 13^th August 2009:-

1. Trade in Goods Agreement along with its annexes.
   
   
2. Agreement on Dispute Settlement Mechanism.
   
   
3. Protocol to Amend the Framework Agreement.
   
   
4. Understanding on Article 4 of the Agreement on Trade in Goods Agreement.

The Agreements have come into force on 1^st January 2010 in respect of India and Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand. In the case of other ASEAN countries, the Agreements will come into force after they complete their internal requirements.

Negotiations in Trade in Services and Investment are underway and are targeted to be concluded by August 2010.