Data Alert
India Aug trade gap narrows; exports up 6.7% despite US tariffs
This story was originally published at 17:09 IST on 15 September 2025
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--India Aug merchandise exports $35.10bln vs $32.89 bln year ago
--India Aug merchandise imports $61.59 bln vs $68.53 bln year ago
--India Aug merchandise trade deficit $26.49 bln vs $35.64 bln year ago
--Govt: India Aug services trade exports $34.06 bln vs $30.36 bln year ago
--Govt: India Aug services trade imports $17.45 bln vs $16.46 bln year ago
--Govt: India Aug services trade surplus $16.61 bln vs $13.90 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug merchandise exports $184.13 bln vs $179.60 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug merchandise imports $306.52 bln vs $300.12 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug merchandise trade deficit $122.39 bln vs $120.52 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug non-oil imports $228.43 bln vs $221.97 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug non-oil exports $158.07 bln vs $147.25 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug exports to US $40.39 bln vs $34.21 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug imports from China $51.57 bln vs $46.80 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug imports from Russia $26.46 bln vs $28.01 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug imports from US $21.61 bln vs $19.91 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug engineering goods exports $49.24 bln vs $46.52 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug petroleum product exports $26.06 bln vs $32.35 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug electronic goods exports $19.09 bln vs $13.57 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug gems and jewellery exports $11.37 bln vs $11.12 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug oil imports $78.09 bln vs $78.15 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug gold imports $16.90 bln vs $24.39 bln year ago
--India Apr-Aug electronic goods imports $46.33 bln vs $39.57 bln year ago
NEW DELHI – India's merchandise exports rose on year in August even as US tariffs on Indian goods came into effect during the month. Imports in August saw the steepest pace of decline in six months and helped narrow the country's trade deficit last month, according to commerce ministry data released Monday.
Merchandise exports rose 6.7% on year to $35.10 billion in August and imports fell 10.1% to $61.59 billion. As a result, India's merchandise trade deficit in August came down to $26.49 billion from $35.64 billion a year ago. In July, India exported goods worth $37.24 billion and imported goods worth $64.59 billion. India's trade deficit in July was $27.35 billion.
The US levied 25% reciprocal tariff on India from Aug. 7 and doubled it to 50% from Aug. 27 as a punitive measure for New Delhi's continued buying of crude oil from Russia, which according to Washington is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine.
India exported goods worth $40.39 billion to the US in the first five months of 2025-26 (Apr-Mar) compared with $34.21 billion a year ago. Imports from the US rose to $21.61 billion in Apr-Aug from $19.91 billion a year ago. Country-wise trade data for August was not immediately available.
India's merchandise exports rose to $184.13 billion during Apr-Aug from $179.60 billion a year ago. The country imported goods worth $306.52 billion in the first five months of FY26, up from $300.12 billion in the same period last year. The trade deficit during Apr-Aug was $122.39 billion against $120.52 billion last year.
The government estimates services trade exports at $34.06 billion in August, up 12.2% on year, and services trade imports at $17.45 billion, up 6.0%. India recorded a services trade surplus of $16.61 billion last month, higher than a surplus of $13.90 billion in August 2024.
India's non-oil imports inched up to $228.43 billion during Apr-Aug from $221.97 billion a year ago and oil imports were largely unchanged at $78.09 billion against $78.15 billion in the corresponding period last year.
India imported gold worth $16.90 billion in Apr-Aug, lower than $24.39 bln a year ago. India's electronic goods imports rose to $46.33 billion in the first five months of FY26 from $39.57 billion a year ago.
China remained India's largest import source nation in Apr-Aug, followed by Russia. Imports from China increased to $51.57 billion from $46.80 billion a year ago. Notably, imports from Russia decreased to $26.46 billion in Apr-Aug from $28.01 billion a year ago.
India's non-oil exports increased to $158.07 billion in the five months to August from $147.25 billion in the same period last year. Petroleum product exports fell to $26.06 billion from $32.35 billion last year.
Engineering goods was India's biggest export commodity in Apr-Aug with outbound shipments worth $49.24 billion, higher than $46.52 billion a year ago. Electronic goods exports also rose to $19.09 billion from $13.57 billion a year ago and gems and jewellery exports were broadly unchanged at $11.37 billion compared with $11.12 billion in Apr-Aug 2024. End
Reported by Krity Ambey and Shubham Rana
Edited by Vandana Hingorani
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