Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 5 - Kerala's Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday defended the proposed trade pact between India and ASEAN nations, saying the positive sides of the agreement should also be seen.

'It is now a reality and there is no way out. The country has to sign the agreement,' the Congress leader told reporters here.

His remarks came two days after Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi to apprise him of the apprehensions of the state about the country's free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The critics of the FTA say once signed, it would affect the agriculture sector in the state as import tariff on many agricultural produces will be eliminated.

Rejecting such criticisms, Chandy said the prime minister has assured steps to protect the interests of the farmers in the state.

He added that India's trade with ASEAN countries was rising and a trade agreement was inevitable.