Summary
India and Brunei Darussalam held the third meeting of their Joint Trade Committee to review bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The two sides focused on expanding trade, improving market access and facilitating business-to-business links, identifying pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy and Indian agricultural and animal product exports as priority areas.
Article
New Delhi: India and Brunei Darussalam reviewed their bilateral trade and economic relationship at the third meeting of the India-Brunei Darussalam Joint Trade Committee (JTC), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on October 14, 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amit Verma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, and Dr May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy and Trade), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Brunei Darussalam. Representatives of relevant ministries and organisations from both countries took part.
What was discussed?
Discussions centred on expanding bilateral trade, addressing market access priorities and setting up institutional mechanisms to support business-to-business exchanges.
Both sides discussed facilitating exports of Indian agricultural and animal products to Brunei, with the aim of supporting Brunei’s food security and diversifying bilateral trade.
Which sectors were identified for cooperation?
Pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy were identified as key areas for further cooperation. The two sides explored opportunities for regulatory collaboration, procurement and healthcare services in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Energy discussions covered both traditional and emerging partnerships to support sustained industrial growth.
How will business ties be strengthened?
The two countries emphasised tourism cooperation and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions to strengthen people-to-people and commercial links. They noted that targeted trade promotion events and reciprocal business delegations could help identify investment opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and services.
Both sides committed to regular communication between nodal agencies and working groups to monitor follow-up actions. The next JTC meeting will be held in Brunei.
What is the trade context?
Energy dominates Brunei’s exports to India. According to UN Comtrade-based data, crude petroleum accounts for the bulk of India’s imports from Brunei, with organic chemicals and cyclic hydrocarbons making up most of the remainder. India’s exports to Brunei include food products such as rice and spices.
Both countries trade under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Under the original ASEAN-India FTA negotiations, India agreed to phase out duties on crude oil imports specifically for Brunei, reflecting the commodity’s importance to Brunei’s export basket.
Why does it matter?
Brunei is a small but strategically placed ASEAN partner and a supplier of crude oil and petrochemical feedstock to India. Broadening the relationship beyond energy into food, pharmaceuticals and healthcare would diversify trade flows and open opportunities for Indian exporters in a market that relies heavily on food imports. Regular JTC engagement also supports India’s wider push to deepen economic ties across Southeast Asia, including through ongoing review of its trade agreement with ASEAN.
FAQs
Who co-chaired the third India-Brunei Joint Trade Committee?
Amit Verma, Joint Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, and Dr May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy and Trade) of Brunei.
Which sectors were identified for cooperation?
Pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy.
What did India seek on agricultural trade?
Facilitation of exports of Indian agricultural and animal products to Brunei.
What does India mainly import from Brunei?
Crude petroleum makes up the bulk of India’s imports from Brunei.
Where will the next meeting be held?
The next Joint Trade Committee meeting will be held in Brunei Darussalam.
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