Most Indian goods enter Sri Lanka duty-free under the FTA, except Sri Lanka's negative list of about 1,180 items (parts of agriculture, rubber, paper, steel and machinery). Talks on a broader Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) have been held over 14 rounds.
- Sri Lanka gave zero duty on 1,208 lines at the outset and phased out duty on a further 2,724 lines by November 2008
- Sri Lanka's negative list: about 1,180 items; India's: 429 items
- ETCA negotiations: 14 rounds held (as of March 2026)
- Rules of origin
- Minimum 35% domestic value addition on FOB value, with a change in tariff heading (4-digit).
- How to claim
- ISFTA 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: Consulate General of India, Jaffna – India-Sri Lanka FTA · Rajya Sabha answer on FTAs, 20 March 2026 (mirror) · DGFT – Appendix 2A: agencies authorised to issue CoO under FTAs/PTAs
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
India's only trade agreement giving preferences in China. Under the fourth round of concessions (effective 1 July 2018) members cut duties on over 10,660 tariff lines with an average margin of preference of about 32%, so Indian goods pay less than the normal (MFN) duty, not zero, on listed products.
- Originated as the Bangkok Agreement (1975); renamed APTA in 2005; Mongolia joined in 2020
- Fourth round (from 1 July 2018): over 10,660 tariff lines, average margin of preference 31.73%
- India offered concessions on 3,142 items, and deeper cuts on 1,249 items for LDC members (average margin 81%)
- Rules of origin
- Non-originating inputs may not exceed 55% of FOB value (65% for LDCs); cumulative APTA content of at least 60% (50% for LDCs).
- How to claim
- APTA Certificate of Origin; apply on DGFT's Trade Connect eCoO platform (www.trade.gov.in).
Sources · checked 30 Sep 2026: WTO RTA database – Asia Pacific Trade Agreement · UNESCAP – Sharing on APTA (Oct 2023) · Apparel Resources – India offers tariff concession on 3,142 items to APTA members (Jul 2018) · DGFT – Appendix 2A: agencies authorised to issue CoO under FTAs/PTAs