The Cabinet has in its Meeting held on 19th December, 2013 approved signing and ratification of the ASEAN –India Agreement on Trade in Services. ASEAN Secretariat has been informed that the internal procedure for signing of the Agreement has been completed by India and they should inform dates for signing of the Agreement.

Both the parties i.e. India and ASEAN Member States have negotiated an Agreement on Trade in Services and an Annex on Movement of Natural Persons as part of Trade in Services Agreement. The Annex clearly defines the various kinds of natural persons e.g. Business visitors, Contractual Service Suppliers and Intra-Corporate Transferees. Most of the ASEAN Member States have taken commitments in the schedule of specific commitments for some of these categories of natural persons. The India-ASEAN Agreement on Services is expected to facilitate the movement of Indian professionals in ASEAN.

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan in Rajya Sabha today.

Movement of Natural Persons: agreement provisions aim to facilitate temporary mobility of professionals across ASEAN and India. Approval was granted for signing and ratification of the ASEAN-India Agreement on Trade in Services, which includes an Annex on Movement of Natural Persons defining Business Visitors, Contractual Service Suppliers and Intra Corporate Transferees. Several ASEAN Member States have taken commitments in their schedules of specific commitments for some categories, creating a framework to facilitate the temporary movement of Indian professionals within ASEAN.