In 2024-25, India exported $387.54 bn worth of services, against imports of $198.14 bn, earning all-time high surplus of $189.40 bn. This offset 2/3rd of goods trade deficit.
According to the Niti Aayog quarter trade watch report launched Monday, India’s total trade in FY 2025 was at US$1.73 trillion—exports at US$823 billion & imports US$908 billion.
Despite contraction in exports, India’s merchandise trade deficit improved in 2023-24, owing to steeper drop in imports. However, the trade deficit with China & Russia widened.
Smaller deficit this year could be down to slowing Chinese economy. In terms of volume, Indian exports to China remain roughly one-tenth of Chinese exports to India.
Indian commerce ministry data shows imports in October stood at $65.03 billion, exports were $33.57 billion. At $60 billion for April-October 2023, Chinese imports double that of Russia’s.
Modi to attend Indonesia meet just days before G20 Summit. India, whose trade deficit with bloc stood at $43.57 bn in FY23, ‘keen’ to hold at least one meeting reviewing 2009 trade pact.
Current account deficit stood at $1.3 billion in 4th quarter of fiscal year 2022-23, compared with revised deficit of $16.8 billion in preceding October-December quarter.
Majority of the country's deficit is due to negative balance in merchandise account. India usually runs a surplus in services & remittances, but incurs deficit in trade of merchandise.
RBI data shows that India's CAD was around $23.90 billion in the first quarter of FY-22/23. Following the rising prices of commodities globally, the trade deficit also has been affected.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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