India enjoys trade surplus with all members of SAARC comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  Trade between India and China currently stand at USD $ 65.87 in 2013-14.  China is currently the largest trading partner in bilateral trade.  Myanmar (an ASEAN country) also enjoys a high level of bilateral trade through border trade arrangement at Moreh (Manipur). Joint Trade and Investment Agreement between India and ASEAN group of countries is expected to also boost bilateral trade with South East Asian countries.

The details of trade between India and the SAARC countries, China and Myanmar were as under during the last three years:-

Value in US $ Million

(P) – Provisional

Country	Year	Export	Import	Total Trade
Afghanistan	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	511 473 474	133 160 209	644 633 683
Bangladesh	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	3789 5145 6051	586 639 461	4375 5784 6512
Bhutan	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	230 233 300	203 164 151	433 397 451
Maldives	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	125 122 108	19 06 04	144 128 112
Nepal	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	2722 3089 3575	550 543 528	3272 3632 4103
Pakistan	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	1542 2065 2275	362 542 427	1904 2607 2702
Sri Lanka	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	4379 3984 4549	578 626 677	4957 4610 5226
China	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	18077 13580 14829	55314 52248 51049	73391 65828 65878
Myanmar	2011-12 2012-13 2013-14(P)	545 545 785	1386 1413 1392	1931 1958 2177

An adhoc working group for reductions in ‘sensitive list’ has been formed under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). Bhutan, India, Maldives and Pakistan have put forward a proposal for reduction in the Peak Tariff Rate to 0%-5% by 2020. There has been a sharp expansion of bilateral trade with China and also a rise in the bilateral trade deficit between India and China. The 9th Session of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relation (JEG) at the Ministerial Level was held in August 2012.  Recently, 3 MoUs were signed between the Ministry of Commerce of India and the Ministry of Commerce, China in May 2013. These measures are expected to strengthen trade relations with China. To enhance bilateral trade with Myanmar the India-Myanmar Border Trade Committee, India Myanmar Border Haat Committee and Joint Trade and Investment Forum have been formed. The India- ASEAN Trade in Goods (TiG) signed in August 2009 is also expected to boost bilateral trade with South East Asian Countries.

The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Trade relations with neighbouring countries strengthened through tariff liberalisation and institutional trade agreements to expand commerce. India maintains a trade surplus with SAARC members while engaging in large bilateral trade with China that shows a significant deficit; China is the largest partner and Myanmar trade is supported by border arrangements. An ad hoc SAFTA working group targets reductions in the 'sensitive list' with a proposal to lower peak tariff rates substantially, and institutional measures-bilateral MoUs, Joint Economic Group meetings, India Myanmar border committees and the India ASEAN Trade in Goods framework-are expected to strengthen trade relations and facilitate regional tariff liberalisation.