(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Oct 16 (KNN) India's merchandise exports rose 6.75 percent year-on-year to USD 36.38 billion in September 2025, up from USD 34.08 billion in the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

However, merchandise imports grew at a faster pace of 16.7 percent, reaching USD 68.53 billion compared to USD 58.74 billion a year earlier.

This sharp rise pushed the country's merchandise trade deficit to USD 24.66 billion, up 30.37 percent from USD 18.07 billion in September 2024.

Including estimated data for the services sector, India's overall trade deficit (merchandise and services combined) widened to USD 16.61 billion, compared to USD 8.60 billion in September 2024.

The Ministry noted that the services data for September are provisional estimates, pending official release by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

India's total exports (goods and services combined) stood at USD 67.20 billion, marginally higher than USD 66.68 billion a year earlier, while total imports increased to USD 83.82 billion from USD 75.28 billion.

The widening gap between imports and exports was attributed largely to higher inbound shipments of gold, silver, fertilisers, and electronics.

The latest figures underscore India's sustained demand for imported goods even as export growth continues amid global economic uncertainty.

(KNN Bureau)

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