India, Malaysia to discuss FTA review when PMs meet this weekend

The agreement, which covers trade in goods and services as well as investments, was signed in February 2011 and came into force on July 1 that year.

The move is part of efforts to enhance bilateral trade "in a balanced and sustainable manner", Periasamy Kumaran, a secretary in India's Ministry of External Affairs, was cited as saying by a news agency.

Both sides are cooperating under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for an early conclusion of the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), Kumaran told reporters.

Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are likely to hold wide-ranging talks in trade, investment, defence, semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy and education.

Bilateral trade between the two nations is around $20 billion annually.

Fibre2Fashion (DS)