India’s export performance continues to outpace many of its emerging-market counterparts , driven by broad-based growth across goods and services even as global trade conditions remain uneven.
According to recent trade data, India’s cumulative exports from April to January 2025-26 rose to $720.76 billion, up more than 6 %, with strong contributions from services such as IT and business outsourcing, as well as merchandise sectors including electronics and pharmaceuticals. Services exports climbed over 10 %, while defence-related shipments reached record levels, highlighting diversification in India’s overseas sales mix.
Analysts say the export rebound has helped place India ahead of several regional peers in terms of overall trade momentum. Mint’s Emerging Market Tracker showed India near the top of the list among emerging markets in late 2025, with merchandise exports jumping almost 20 % year-on-year in key months — outstripping rivals such as Malaysia and Brazil.
This performance is further supported by new and expanded free trade agreements — including recently concluded pacts with European and EFTA partners — which are expected to lower tariffs and enhance market access for Indian goods overseas.
While some sectors still face headwinds such as proposed countervailing duties in major markets, India’s diversified export base and policy focus on manufacturing and services help cushion external shocks and sustain competitiveness.
Officials and industry representatives say continued emphasis on trade deals, production-linked incentives, and logistics reforms will be key to maintaining export momentum and strengthening India’s position on the global trade stage in the months ahead.
