The SAARC free trade area gives Indian goods reduced duties (0–5% after phase-down) in other South Asian countries, except items on each country's sensitive list. In practice trade with Pakistan is shut: Pakistan suspended bilateral trade in August 2019, and India banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan from 4 May 2025.
- Non-LDC members (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) were to cut tariffs to 0–5%; LDC members (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan) over a longer period
- Each member keeps a sensitive (negative) list excluded from concessions
- Afghanistan joined in 2007
- Pakistan: no usable preferential trade — Pakistan suspended trade with India in Aug 2019; India banned imports and transit of Pakistani goods from 4 May 2025
- Rules of origin
- Change of tariff heading (4-digit) plus at least 40% domestic value content (30% for LDC exporters); product-specific rules for 191 lines.
- How to claim
- SAFTA Certificate of Origin, issued by authorised Indian agencies; apply on DGFT's Trade Connect eCoO platform (www.trade.gov.in).
Sources · checked 30 Sep 2026: APEDA AgriExchange – SAFTA ready reckoner · Rajya Sabha answer on FTAs, 20 March 2026 (mirror) · The Tribune – India bans imports from Pakistan, suspends shipping and postal links (May 2025) · DGFT – Appendix 2A: agencies authorised to issue CoO under FTAs/PTAs