The West Asian disaster has definitely affected India’s exports to the area. file. |Photograph supplied by: Reuters
India’s merchandise exports rose practically 14% to $43.6 billion in April 2026, regardless of vital commerce headwinds from the West Asian disaster, official knowledge launched on Friday (15 Could 2026) confirmed.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated on Friday (Could 15, 2026) that the efficiency was partly attributable to general value will increase and market diversification efforts by Indian exporters. The general commerce deficit, together with items and companies, decreased by 30% to $7.8 billion in April 2026.
“The optimistic progress in worth may even have a value affect as the costs of many issues have gone up,” Agrawal stated at a press convention. “It’s also a credit score to our business that we have now been capable of keep provide chains, look to new markets and diversify our exports.”
Diversifying market
He added that export progress in April 2026 will come from a number of international locations that haven’t seen such excessive progress charges up to now, comparable to Tanzania.
Merchandise exports to Tanzania elevated by 158% to $1.2 billion in April 2026, whereas exports to a number of different traditionally smaller vacation spot international locations additionally confirmed comparatively robust progress, together with Sri Lanka (215%), Singapore (179%), Bangladesh (64%) and Vietnam (53%).
Nonetheless, the West Asian disaster affected India’s exports to the area.
Influence on West Asia
“Exports to West Asia fell sharply in March and once more in April, however the present decline is just 28%,” Agrawal stated. “Our exports to West Asia totaled $4.16 billion, up from $5.78 billion in April 2025.”
“When it comes to imports from West Asia, we see a major decline in merchandise imports, from $15.3 billion in April final yr to $10.5 billion (down 31.6%). The explanations for this are well-known,” he added.
Exports to the UAE, one in all India’s greatest export locations, fell by 36.4% to about $2.2 billion in April 2026, knowledge confirmed.
Notably, India’s exports to the US additionally elevated throughout this era, albeit at a comparatively small 1.1%, to round $8.5 billion in April 2026.
commerce steadiness
In April 2026, India’s merchandise exports had been $43.6 billion, whereas merchandise imports had been $71.9 billion, a rise of 10% in comparison with April final yr. Subsequently, the products commerce deficit in April 2026 was $28.4 billion, up from $27.1 billion in April final yr.
On the companies facet, India’s exports elevated by 13.4% to $37.2 billion in April 2026, whereas imports decreased by 1.5% to $16.7 billion.
In consequence, the general commerce deficit will likely be $7.8 billion in April 2026, down from $11.2 billion in April final yr.
