<p>New Delhi: India’s trade deficit widened to five-month high of $26.42 billion in April due to a sharp increase in imports even though the country’s outbound shipments increased by a healthy 9% year-on-year led by robust performance of electronics and engineering sectors, as per official data released on Thursday.</p>.<p>Imports surged by 19.12% to $64.91 billion in April 2025 from $54.49 billion recorded in the same month last year. The surge in inbound shipments was led by crude oil and fertilisers. Import of crude oil jumped by 25.6% year-on-year to $20.7 billion in April, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data showed.</p>.<p>India’s merchandise exports during the first month of the current financial year increased to $38.49 billion, which is 9% higher when compared with $35.30 billion recorded in April 2024.</p>.<p>Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said April was a good month from the perspective of India’s exports. “I hope India will maintain this export momentum and it should be a good year for us," he added.</p>.Markets jump on Trump’s ‘zero tariff’ comments.<p>India’s overall exports (merchandise and services combined) in April jumped by 12.70% to $73.80 billion, while total imports surged by 15.72% year-on-year to $82.45 billion.</p>.<p>Leading the export growth were engineering goods, petroleum, electronic, gems & jewellery and pharmaceutical products.</p>.<p>On the import side, petroleum, electronic and capital goods, gold, coal, chemicals, and transport equipment dominated. “The increase in imports, particularly of capital goods and energy inputs, reflects improving domestic demand and capacity expansion,” said S C Ralhan, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).</p>.<p>Strong exports data for engineering goods, according to EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha, indicate that the outlook for the sector will remain positive in the coming months.</p>.<p>“While the recently concluded free trade agreement with the UK would further push engineering exports from India, the upcoming bilateral trade agreement with the US is set to drive shipments from the country in a big way,” Chadha said.</p>
<p>New Delhi: India’s trade deficit widened to five-month high of $26.42 billion in April due to a sharp increase in imports even though the country’s outbound shipments increased by a healthy 9% year-on-year led by robust performance of electronics and engineering sectors, as per official data released on Thursday.</p>.<p>Imports surged by 19.12% to $64.91 billion in April 2025 from $54.49 billion recorded in the same month last year. The surge in inbound shipments was led by crude oil and fertilisers. Import of crude oil jumped by 25.6% year-on-year to $20.7 billion in April, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data showed.</p>.<p>India’s merchandise exports during the first month of the current financial year increased to $38.49 billion, which is 9% higher when compared with $35.30 billion recorded in April 2024.</p>.<p>Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said April was a good month from the perspective of India’s exports. “I hope India will maintain this export momentum and it should be a good year for us," he added.</p>.Markets jump on Trump’s ‘zero tariff’ comments.<p>India’s overall exports (merchandise and services combined) in April jumped by 12.70% to $73.80 billion, while total imports surged by 15.72% year-on-year to $82.45 billion.</p>.<p>Leading the export growth were engineering goods, petroleum, electronic, gems & jewellery and pharmaceutical products.</p>.<p>On the import side, petroleum, electronic and capital goods, gold, coal, chemicals, and transport equipment dominated. “The increase in imports, particularly of capital goods and energy inputs, reflects improving domestic demand and capacity expansion,” said S C Ralhan, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).</p>.<p>Strong exports data for engineering goods, according to EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha, indicate that the outlook for the sector will remain positive in the coming months.</p>.<p>“While the recently concluded free trade agreement with the UK would further push engineering exports from India, the upcoming bilateral trade agreement with the US is set to drive shipments from the country in a big way,” Chadha said.</p>