India looks East, deepens trade links with Singapore, Asean

India is strengthening its economic engagement across Asia, holding trade talks with Singapore and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to expand market access, update trade agreements and enhance cross-border connectivity.

- Rhik Kundu

The outreach comes as New Delhi braces for the impact of recently announced US reciprocal tariffs on a range of Indian goods, a move that could pressure export earnings in one of the country's largest markets.

The measures have also sharpened the government's focus on diversifying trade relationships and deepening ties with fast-growing Asian partners.

The commerce ministry said on Friday that India had, a day earlier, hosted the 4th meeting of the India-Singapore Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI), where senior officials discussed trade facilitation, investment promotion, supply-chain resilience, and regulatory streamlining.