New Delhi: India’s merchandise exports grew nearly 20% in July 2026, outpacing import growth despite ongoing turmoil in West Asia, official data released on Thursday showed.
The recovery was supported by trade diversification and improved shipping routes, officials said. Exports to West Asia also rebounded. According to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, exports to the region rose 8.62% year-on-year to $5.7 billion in July. He said this was achieved by routing India’s trade through different ports and shipping lines.
However, India’s overall trade deficit widened to $15 billion in July 2026. The Commerce Ministry noted that the gap expanded as services imports grew faster than services exports during the month.
The export surge signals resilience in India’s trade basket amid geopolitical disruptions, with diversification helping offset regional risks.
