India’s trade deficit narrowed in November after hitting a record high in October, supported by a strong rise in exports and a slight fall in imports, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Key Trade Data for November
Exports: India’s exports rose 19.4% year-on-year to $38.13 billion, compared with $31.94 billion a year earlier.
Imports: Imports declined 1.9% to $62.66 billion, down from $63.87 billion in the same period last year.
Trade Deficit: The gap between exports and imports narrowed 23.15% to $24.53 billion, compared with $31.92 billion in November last year.
India’s gold imports in November stood at $4.02 billion, data from the Trade Ministry Data showed.
India’s oil imports in November were valued at $14.12 billion, according to the Trade Ministry.
Why Did the Trade Deficit Improve?
The improvement was mainly driven by a sharp jump in exports, while imports remained under control. This helped reduce the trade gap after it widened to a record high in October.
However, exporters continue to face pressure due to high US tariffs. Exports to the United States have remained weak following the 50% punitive tariffs imposed on several Indian goods earlier this year.
Impact of US Tariffs and Trade Talks
India and the United States are still engaged in slow-moving trade negotiations. US President Donald Trump has spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times since the tariffs came into effect in August, but a formal trade deal is yet to be finalized.
India is currently one of the few major economies that has not secured a trade agreement with Washington, adding uncertainty for exporters.
Effect on the Rupee
The delay in a US-India trade deal has continued to weigh on the Indian rupee. On Monday, the rupee fell to a fresh record low against the US dollar, reflecting ongoing pressure from global trade tensions.
What This Means Going Forward
While November’s data shows a welcome narrowing of the trade deficit, sustainability will depend on export growth amid global uncertainty and progress in trade talks with the US. Any easing of tariffs could provide relief to exporters and support the rupee in the coming months.
India Trade Update: November Shows Strong Recovery
India’s trade secretary said gold imports fell sharply by about 60% in November, helping ease pressure on the trade balance. Exports improved across key sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, and gems and jewellery, allowing November to offset losses seen in October and putting the full-year outlook back on track.
Exports to the US rose by $1.3 billion year-on-year in November, despite tariffs. India is also close to a framework trade deal with the US, though no timeline has been shared. Shipments to China increased by $1 billion, while Spain, the UAE, and Tanzania also posted strong growth. A meaningful drop was seen in imports of gold, coal, and petroleum, even as energy imports from the US continued to rise.
For April–November 2025, cumulative exports reached $562.13 billion, up from $533 billion a year earlier. Merchandise exports stood at $292 billion, while non-petroleum exports grew to $254.08 billion. India’s top export items remain engineering goods, petroleum products, and electronics, while key imports continue to be petroleum, electronics, and gold.
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