THE ASEAN–INDIA FREE TRADE AREA AND DESIGN OF FUTURE REGIONAL TRADING ARCHITECTURE IN THE ASIA–PACIFIC REGION

hidayat, Agus Syarif

Review of Indonesian Economic and Business Studies
Vol 6, No 1 (2015): Reviews of Indonesian Economic and Bussiness

This paper discusses the role of the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) in designing future regional trading architecture (RTA). To date, the negotiations on future regional trading architecture in the Asia–Pacific region have split into two blocs: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). By considering some essential factors, it would be to the advantage of AIFTA members to focus on negotiations under the RCEP rather than the TPP. There are at least three ways in which the AIFTA could play a significant role in the:”) course of future RTA in the Asia–Pacific region: strengthening unity of the RCEP; redressing power imbalances among RCEP participating countries; and becoming a hub for other regions.