India’s Current Engagement of FTAs and PTAs

Bangkok Agreement 1975

Bangkok agreement was originally signed in the year 1975, among seven countries. The members of this agreement consist of Bangladesh, India, Laos, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Thailand
Three rounds of negotiations were held during 1975, 1988 and 2001.  Thailand and Philippines due to their ASEAN commitments did not ratify the agreement. Laos is not an effective member.  Papua New Guinia acceded to the agreement in December 1993, but has not yet ratified.
Negotiations were basically related to preferential tariffs on selected goods.
In effect, it is an agreement between Bangladesh, India, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka.  China acceded on April 2000. The main objectives of the agreement confined to tariff concessions for a small group of items of goods

• Unilateral tariffs preferences on 25 items were agreed with Bangladesh based on non-reciprocity.

• India extended concessions to China on 311 items (6 digit HS) and received concessions from China on 589 items (8 digit HS)

• India gave concessions to Republic of Korea on 88 items (6 digit HS) and received concession for 138 items (8 digit)