India’s total exports between April and January of the current financial year (2025-26) reached a historic $720.76 billion. According to a PIB report, during the same period last year, this figure was $679.02 billion, indicating a robust 6.15 per cent growth in Indian trade.
When we talk about exports, we often think of goods moving through ports and large ships, but India’s true strength lies in its services. India has now become a global hub for IT, business, and professional services. This is why service exports grew by 10.57 per cent from April through January, reaching $354.13 billion.
Earlier, in 2024-25, service exports also reached an all-time high of $387.5 billion, resulting in a substantial trade surplus of $188.8 billion. From the perspective of an ordinary Indian, this uninterrupted success of the service sector directly impacts the availability of better employment opportunities for millions of youth and the international recognition their skills command.
A New Era of Self-Reliance, From Defence to Electronics
The country has also achieved comprehensive growth in the merchandise sector. Today, smartphones and other electronics manufactured in India are rapidly reaching markets around the world. Pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, petroleum products, textiles, and the automobile sector have also contributed significantly to this impressive growth.
The defence sector is particularly noteworthy. India’s defence exports reached a record level of ₹23,622 crore in 2024-25. This clearly indicates that India is no longer merely an arms importer but is also becoming a major arms exporter through high-value manufacturing. This not only increases foreign exchange reserves but also creates countless new employment opportunities in the industrial system.
Our Access to 70% of the Global Economy
A major reason for India’s economic strength is that the country has not limited itself to just a few markets or products. According to the United Nations Trade Diversity Index (UNCTAD), India is among the top five economies in the Global South in terms of product diversity. We also rank among the top three in terms of diversity of trading partners. Within the last three years, India has signed nine significant free trade agreements (FTAs) with 38 countries. These strategic agreements have given India Access to 70% of the world’s GDP.
