India’s exports to West Asian international locations rose 8.62% to $5.7 billion in July, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal stated in a press briefing on commerce knowledge.
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India’s merchandise exports noticed a development of practically 20% in July 2026, sooner than that of imports, regardless of the continued turmoil in West Asia, official knowledge launched on Thursday reveals.
Notably, exports to West Asia itself have recovered as effectively, with July’s exports to the area practically 9% greater than in July final 12 months. Based on Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, this has been achieved by routing India’s commerce by means of completely different ports and transport strains.
Nevertheless, India’s commerce deficit nonetheless widened in July 2026 to $15 billion as providers imports grew sooner than providers exports.
Items exports shine
India’s merchandise exports stood at $44.2 billion in July 2026, up 19.6% over its degree in July final 12 months. Based on Mr. Agrawal, this was achieved by means of continued diversification of export locations.
“For those who have a look at vacation spot international locations, we at the moment are doing effectively in international locations the place we sometimes didn’t earlier, corresponding to China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Austria, Malaysia, and a number of other different international locations,” Mr. Agrawal stated whereas talking at a press convention.
India’s exports to China grew 65% in July 2026 to $2.2 billion, albeit on a low base. Over the course of April-July 2026, exports to China grew 36%.
“Even in Africa, in Kenya and the South African Customs Union area, there was a rise in exports within the first 4 months of this monetary 12 months,” he added. “Tanzania has additionally been a really sturdy silver lining the place 130% development in exports has been seen.”
Merchandise imports grew a comparatively slower 17.5% in July 2026 to $76.2 billion.
West Asia recovers
The continued battle in West Asia hit India’s exports to the area in March and April, with exports contracting practically 57% in March and 27% in April. Since then, nonetheless, exports to the area have recovered, and stood at $5.7 billion in July 2026, up 8.8% over July final 12 months.
“Some new ports have change into extra operational and so they have began dealing with extra cargo,” Mr. Agrawal defined. “A few of the ports in Oman which can be exterior the Strait of Hormuz have been doing effectively and extra cargo has been flowing by means of them. Even two ports within the UAE — Fujairah and Khor Fakkan — are seeing extra visitors.”
Usually, he stated, it was the Jebel Ali port in Dubai that had been dealing with the majority of the cargo.
“Since that isn’t having the ability to deal with it at the moment, different ports are stepping up and infrastructure has been upgraded on that facet,” Mr. Agrawal added. “Extra shipments are going by means of these routes. So, that has helped us recuperate our exports to the area.”
Tepid providers
The info reveals that providers exports grew 6.4% in July 2026 to $35.9 billion. That is in step with the subdued export order development sentiments expressed by service exporters surveyed within the HSBC India Providers PMI report for the month.
Providers imports grew sooner than exports, at 9.5%, to $18.9 billion.
The mixed commerce deficit together with each merchandise and providers widened to $15 billion in July 2026 from $11.4 billion in July final 12 months.
Revealed – August 13, 2026 04:44 pm IST
