India's overall exports, including merchandise and services, witnessed a rise sharply to USD 73.80 billion in April 2025, marking a 12.7 per cent increase from USD 65.48 billion in the same month last year, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry. However, imports experienced an even sharper increase, climbing to US$ 82.45 billion in April 2025, a 15.7% jump from the US$ 71.25 billion in April 2024. This disparity between exports and imports resulted in India's overall trade deficit widening to US$ 8.65 billion in April 2025, a substantial 50% increase from the US$ 5.77 billion recorded a year earlier. Specifically, merchandise exports saw a rise of 9.03% to US$ 38.39 billion, while merchandise imports increased by 19.12% to US$ 64.91 billion in April. This widening trade gap in April follows a similar trend observed in March 2025, where the overall trade deficit increased to US$ 3.63 billion compared to US$ 1.92 billion in March 2024. Notably, the trade deficit in March widened to US$ 21.54 billion, increasing from a three-year low of US$ 14.05 billion in February. The current data suggests a strong domestic consumption driving the increased import demand, with export growth trailing behind the expansion of imports. While the overall increase in trade activity indicates positive economic momentum, the expanding trade deficit highlights the continued importance of focusing on enhancing exports and managing import dependence, especially in key sectors. (ICE NEW DELHI)

Fonte notizia: The Tribune