India's Exports In September 2025 Rise 6.7% To $36.4 Billion Despite Global Headwinds
India's exports demonstrated resilience in September 2025, climbing by 6.7% to reach $36.38 billion, despite facing persistent global economic challenges. This growth occurred even with newly imposed tariffs by the United States. The increase signals the country's ability to navigate a complex international trade landscape.
However, imports also saw a significant surge, rising by 16.6% to $68.53 billion. This increase was fueled by higher demand for gold, silver, fertilizer, and electronics. The substantial growth in imports led to a trade deficit of $32.1 billion for the month.
Breaking down the numbers, the Commerce and Industry Ministry's data reveals that during the April-September period of the fiscal year, India's exports grew by 3.02%, totaling $220.12 billion. Imports for the same period increased by 4.53% to $375.11 billion.
The rise in exports comes despite headwinds, including recently imposed tariffs by the United States. On August 6, 2025, the U.S. President signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% penal tariff, citing India's imports of Russian oil. These tariffs took effect on August 27, 2025. India exported $87 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2024-25. The US tariffs on India went into effect on August 27, 2025. The tariffs, which penalized New Delhi for its trade barriers and Russian oil imports, have made labor-intensive exports uncompetitive against rivals such as Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Despite these challenges, India is actively pursuing trade negotiations with the United States, aiming to finalize a deal by next month. While most trade issues have been resolved, Russian oil imports remain a key point of discussion. An Indian delegation is currently in the U.S. to push trade talks forward.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal noted that the year has been turbulent for trade, leading to a recalibration of the supply chain. He highlighted the positive aspect that India's goods and services exports have grown in the first six months of the current financial year compared to the last, with a lower trade deficit.
