India Looks Beyond U.S. With Fresh Export Push To UAE And Singapore

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Sep 8 (KNN) India's commerce ministry is moving quickly to cushion the impact of steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on key exports.

The government is strengthening ties with Singapore and the UAE to open up new markets for seafood, textiles, and other goods.

Singapore has agreed to increase imports of Indian farm produce and is exploring access for Indian seafood. This offers much-needed relief for marine exporters facing U.S. restrictions.

The UAE, a long-time trade partner, is being considered as a hub for Indian textile exports, one of the hardest-hit sectors.

In FY25, India's marine exports to the U.S. stood at USD 2.68 billion, up from USD 2.50 billion in FY24. Textile exports reached USD 10.9 billion, compared with USD 10.02 billion the year before.

By comparison, textile exports to the UAE grew modestly to USD 2.1 billion in FY25 from USD 1.95 billion in FY24.

Senior officials will soon travel to Singapore to promote a wider range of Indian products, including eggs, poultry, and fish. Talks with the UAE are also under way, covering sectors such as pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, textiles, and agriculture.

Industry experts stress that while markets like Singapore and the UAE cannot fully replace the U.S., they can absorb a significant share of diverted exports.

Ajay Sahai, director general of FIEO, noted that even partial absorption by smaller markets would provide critical relief to Indian exporters.

The government is also focusing on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and complementary trade arrangements to guard against future tariff shocks.

A high-level India–UAE meeting is planned for mid-September, where the two nations are expected to push toward their USD 100 billion trade target by 2030, excluding oil and precious metals.

(KNN Bureau)

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