India’s exports under free trade pacts grew faster than imports in Apr-July

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

India's exports to countries with free trade agreements grew by 23.9% to $57.2 billion between April and July, outpacing the 13.9% growth in non-FTA markets and narrowing the trade deficit with FTA partners. This improvement reflects increased utilization of trade agreements, driven by streamlined regulations, enabling Indian exporters to access new markets and strengthen international trade ties.

India's exports to countries with which it has free trade agreements (FTAs) grew at a faster pace than shipments to non-FTA markets during the first four months of the current financial year, according to recent trade data. Outbound shipments to FTA partner countries increased by 23.9 percent to reach $57.2 billion between April and July, surpassing the 13.9 percent growth recorded in exports to markets without such agreements.

This growth contributed to a rise in the share of FTA partners in India's total exports, which climbed from 31.1 percent ($46.2 billion) to 32.9 percent ($57.2 billion) during the period. Concurrently, the trade deficit India maintained with FTA partner nations narrowed slightly, decreasing from $34.2 billion to $32.6 billion.

Specific country-level data show that exports to Singapore nearly doubled, accounting for roughly $4 billion of the increase in total outward shipments. Additionally, trade with Oman rose by about $0.6 billion following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on June 1, 2023.

Industry leaders and government officials noted that Indian exporters are increasingly overcoming long-standing challenges related to the utilization of FTAs. Previously, exporters had been hindered by complex rules-of-origin requirements and cumbersome paperwork, leading to a perception that these trade agreements were underused on India’s side, while importers in partner countries took greater advantage.

However, recent trends suggest a shift in this pattern. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that preferential access provided by these FTAs is now enabling Indian businesses to expand their global reach, access new markets, and deepen international trade relations. He emphasized that exporters are progressively leveraging these opportunities to enhance export growth.

The increase in trade with FTA partners signals a strategic realignment as India seeks to optimize the benefits of its trade agreements. Ongoing efforts to streamline regulations and reduce procedural bottlenecks appear to be facilitating better utilization of these pacts, potentially contributing to a more balanced trade relationship with partner nations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.