According to information from the commerce ministry, India's merchandise export levels increased by 9.03% in April 2025, reaching $38.49 billion. Electronics and engineering goods contributed significantly to the country's recent growth. Electronics exports saw a 39.51% increase to $3.69 billion, while engineering goods exports went up 11.28% to $9.51 billion.
Other areas contributing to the growth were ready-made garments, tobacco, rice, tea, marine products, gems and jewellery, and pharmaceuticals. Clothing exports were up by 14.43% compared with the previous year, driven by unchanged production and rising demand. Still, the positive performance was possible despite all the uncertainty and frequent policy changes around the globe and from the U.S. government.
Imports in April rose by 19.12% to $64.91 billion, mainly because of a surge in crude oil and fertilizer imports. Imported crude oil grew by 25.6% to $20.7 billion, and imports of gold rose by 4.86% to a total of $3.09 billion. Because of the sharp rise in imports, the trade deficit widened to $26.42 billion, its highest point since November 2024, when it saw a $31.77 billion trade gap.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal discussed trade performance, with the government focusing closely on selected industries and individual nation targets. He mentioned that exporters have withstood market unpredictability and hoped to maintain their export growth in the coming months.
Barthwal pointed out that focusing on trade with 20 countries and half a dozen essential commodities as part of the government strategy has increased exports. He also noted the steady progress on different free trade deals, which are set to improve India's trading situation in the future. These actions, he said, prove the government's intention to build sustainable, long-term growth in exports.
Services trade in India has been growing positively. In April, services exports were estimated at $35.31 billion, higher than the $30.18 billion last year. On the other hand, services imports totaled $17.54 billion in May, up from $16.76 billion in April. Rising demand for India's IT and business services overseas contributed to the growth in the country's exported services. The Ministry of Commerce monitors global changes and helps exporters face difficulties and challenges. Many remain somewhat hopeful that exports will keep growing over the next quarters.