India's exports to the United States have shown a strong resurgence, climbing by 22.6% to reach USD 6.98 billion in November 2025. This increase marks a significant recovery after experiencing negative growth in the preceding two months. The boost in exports to the U.S. has contributed to an overall narrowing of India's trade deficit.
The surge in exports to the U.S. is particularly noteworthy considering the 50% tariffs imposed on Indian goods. Despite these tariffs, Indian exporters have managed to increase their sales to the U.S. market, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Indian businesses. According to exporter bodies, many Indian exporters are choosing to absorb the impact of the higher tariffs rather than risk losing customers.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that the November data alleviated concerns that arose after the October data. He noted that November 2025 saw the highest exports of any November in the last 10 years. Agrawal also indicated that trade relations with the U.S. are progressing positively.
The U.S. remains India's top export destination. During the April-November 2025 period, exports to the U.S. totaled USD 59.04 billion, compared to USD 53.01 billion during the same period last year, marking an 11.38% increase. Imports from the U.S. during this period also rose by 13.49% to USD 35.4 billion.
In November 2025, India's total exports grew by 15.5% to USD 74 billion, while total imports decreased by 0.6% to USD 80.6 billion. Merchandise exports specifically saw a 19.4% increase, reaching USD 38.1 billion. This growth in merchandise exports, coupled with a decline in imports, led to a significant reduction in India's trade deficit. India's trade deficit plummeted by more than 61% in November 2025 to $6.6 billion, due to strong growth in merchandise exports and a fall in merchandise imports. The merchandise trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low of $24.53 billion.
Besides the U.S., India's exports to China also experienced substantial growth, increasing by USD 1 billion, representing a 90% increase. Major drivers of export growth in November 2025 included engineering goods, electronic goods, gems and jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum products.
The overall cumulative exports (merchandise and services) during April-November 2025 are estimated at USD 562.13 billion, compared to USD 533.16 billion during the same period in 2024, indicating a growth of 5.43%. The cumulative value of merchandise exports during this period was USD 292.07 billion, a 2.62% increase compared to the previous year.
