India's FTA Architecture
From ASEAN to Developed Economies
India's FTA strategy has undergone a fundamental transformation. The first phase (2005-2015) focused primarily on agreements with Asian neighbours -- ASEAN FTA (2010), South Korea CEPA (2010), Japan CEPA (2011), and bilateral PTAs with Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal. These agreements drew criticism for widening India's trade deficit, particularly with ASEAN and South Korea. India's withdrawal from RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) in November 2019 reflected concerns about Chinese goods flooding Indian markets. The second phase (2021-2026) pivoted toward FTAs with developed economies -- UAE CEPA (2022), Australia ECTA (2022), Mauritius CECPA (2021), followed by UK, EU, New Zealand, Oman, and US in 2025-26.
- ASEAN-India FTA (2010): India's trade deficit with ASEAN widened from $5 billion (2010) to $25 billion (2022)
- RCEP withdrawal (November 2019): Concerns about China's manufacturing competitiveness and dairy imports from Australia/NZ
- India-UAE CEPA (May 2022): First FTA with a Gulf nation; covered goods, services, investment; bilateral trade target: $100 billion
- India-Australia ECTA (December 2022): Early harvest; 85% of Australian goods at zero duty
- Total 9 FTAs with developed nations: a structural shift from South-South to North-South trade agreements
● Tracked since February 14, 2026 · last seen August 24, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes