The progress of talks to review the India-Asean free trade agreement in goods will figure during the visit of commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal to Laos, an official statement said on Friday.

The review is high on India’s agenda to make the pact more user-friendly to businesses.

Goyal’s two-day visit to Vientiane, Laos, started from Friday. He participated in the 21st Asean-India Economic Ministers meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting.

In a social media post on X Goyal said: “The AEM-India meeting noted the progress in the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement review, which will forge deeper trade and economic ties and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides.

"Emphasised the importance of two-way trade, paving way for stronger supply chain linkages and global value chain integration between the two regions benefiting businesses and people.”