New Delhi: India’s exports surged through significant global tariff headwinds in 2025 to achieve record trade performance, a new international report said on Friday, highlighting the resilience of the country’s external sector amid shifting geopolitical and trade landscapes.
According to the Times Kuwait analysis, India’s total merchandise and services exports in FY 2024–25 climbed to $825.25 billion, up about 6 % year-on-year, while exports in the first half of FY 2025–26 (April–September) rose to $418.91 billion, representing a historical high for any half-year period. Non-petroleum exports also expanded, underpinned by growth in engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, marine products and rice.
The report noted that Indian shipments succeeded despite global tariff pressures, notably high duties imposed by the United States on key goods, as exporters strategically diversified both markets and product profiles. Strengthened market access through landmark agreements — including the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), India-Oman CEPA and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) — helped reduce customs barriers in partner countries and widen export scope.
Exporters also benefited from expanded digital trade facilitation tools and government-led promotion efforts, which provided credit guarantees, compliance support and analytics platforms to improve competitiveness in overseas markets.
Trade experts say the diversification of destinations — particularly across the UAE, China, Spain and Hong Kong — alongside supportive policy interventions, has lessened reliance on any single market and helped sustain momentum even where tariffs are high.
Government initiatives to further open channels for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), such as expanded Market Access Support (MAS) schemes, are expected to underpin continued export diversification and expansion in 2026.