Business & Economy

Indian Exports Surge In Spite of US Tariffs

© Getty Images / ugurhanForklift truck with boxes on pallet. Import export cargo concept.
Forklift truck with boxes on pallet. Import export cargo concept. - Sputnik India, 1920, 07.10.2025
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India and the US are expected to hold the sixth round of talks in coming weeks to negotiate the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which was announced during PM Modi and President Trump in February, 2025.
India's merchandise exports to the US shrunk from just over $8 billion in July to $6.8 billion in August this year, as the US tariff of 25% and a penalty tariff of 25% (total 50%) kicked in, according to a press statement by the Indian Commerce Ministry on Tuesday.

"There has been a decrease in exports to the USA from July 2025 to August 2025 and an increase in exports with other countries in the same duration. While focusing on diversification, India is upgrading product quality, aligning with global standards, strengthening supply chains, and tapping new markets. Alongside rising exports, the country is diversifying its export destinations, boosting the global future of Indian products," the Commerce Ministry said.

However, despite the impact of the US tariffs, the US remained the top market for Indian merchandise exports, which are led by engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, gems and jewelry and textiles among others.
Significantly, the statement highlighted that India's merchandise exports to China had been rising as well, with a 19.65% surge recorded during April-August 2025, as compared to April-August 2024 period. India's main exports to China comprise petroleum products, engineering goods, electronic goods, organic and inorganic chemical products and iron ore and marine product, it said.
Similarly, India's exports to Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, have also risen in April-August period, partly due to the "rising India-China economic engagement", the statement said.

Between July and August 2025, India's merchandise exports to its other trading partners such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, South Africa and other nations witnessed a surge, the statement said.

The Indian statement said that Indian electronic goods' exports led the growth trajectory, witnessing a 40.63% rise between April-August 2025 and 25.91% growth in August 2025 as compared to August 2024. Major markets included the US, UAE, China, the Netherlands and UK, the statement noted.
Within the electronic goods' segment, smartphone exports crossed in the first five months of the 2026 crossed 1 trillion units, as the country becomes a net exporter in the category amid government's push to attract global companies through schemes such as Production-linked Incentives (PLIs).
Meanwhile, India's overall exports (merchandise and service exports) grew by 5.19% in April-August 2025 period, as compared to the same duration last year. The value of Indian exports for April-August 2025 was estimated at $346.10 billion, as compared to $329.03 billion for the corresponding period last year, reflecting a growth of 6.18%.
In terms of break-up, merchandise exports comprised 53.09% in overall exports in April-August period, as compared to 46.91% for service exports.
In August 2025, the overall exports grew by 4.77% as compared to August 2024, the Indian government said.
Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar delivers a speech at commemorative lecture of Nikkei Forum Friday, March 8, 2024, in Tokyo. - Sputnik India, 1920, 06.10.2025
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