The United States continues to be among India’s top trading partners as it became the leading export destination for electronics, marine goods and readymade garments in the first quarter of FY26, reaffirming its importance in India’s external trade, according to an analysis by the commerce department.
The data released by the commerce department showed that between April and June, the US accounted for a commanding 60.17% of India’s electronics exports, 37.63% of marine goods shipments, and 34.11% of readymade garment exports.
India’s total goods exports to the US surged 23.5% in June year-on-year and grew by 22% over the entire April-June quarter, the analysis highlighted.
In electronics, other major destinations included the UAE, China, the Netherlands and Germany. India’s electronics imports, meanwhile, also saw a sharp 47% year-on-year rise in the same quarter, reaching $12.41 billion.
“This geographical spread highlights India’s growing integration into the global electronics supply chain and underscores the country’s emergence as a credible alternative manufacturing hub in Asia,” a government official was quoted.
The US also remained the dominant market for India’s labour-intensive exports in marine goods and readymade garments.
The official added that the strong revival in marine exports is being driven by robust demand from key markets such as the US.
“This performance reveals a strong reliance on mature and high-value markets with the US emerging as the leading destination across all three sectors,” the official said, noting it reflects confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities, regulatory standards and quality assurance.
The analysis comes at a crucial time, as India and the US are in the midst of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.
The first tranche of the deal is expected to be finalised by September.
Indian trade officials are currently in Washington for the fifth round of talks, where New Delhi is seeking better market access for labour-intensive sectors like textiles and electronics. In return, the US is pushing for significant tariff cuts across multiple sectors.