India’s exports to key FTA partners saw a substantial increase in the first quarter of 2026-27, led by exceptional gains in Singapore and Sri Lanka, bolstering the country’s broader trade momentum amid expanded market access and global demand.
India’s exports to several free trade agreement partners rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026-27, led by a surge in shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka, according to commerce ministry data. The gains helped support an overall increase in outbound trade at a time when the government is leaning more heavily on trade pacts to widen market access.
The strongest jumps were seen in south-east Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Exports to Singapore climbed 101.2% to $6.52bn in April-June from $3.24bn a year earlier, while shipments to Sri Lanka rose 123.8% to $2.35bn from $1.05bn. Exports to the Asean region increased 61.6% to $14.61bn, and shipments to the South Asian Free Trade Area rose 36.6% to $8.40bn.
Several individual markets also recorded solid growth. Exports to Malaysia rose 75.2% to $2.54bn, while shipments to Australia increased 25.2% to $2.68bn. Sales to South Korea and Japan grew 22.6% and 22.4% respectively, while exports to the UK rose 11.1% to $3.69bn. The India-UK trade agreement became operational on 15 July 2026, after the quarter covered by the data. Exports to Oman, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand also advanced during the period.
India has signed 17 free trade agreements, of which 16 are currently in force, covering partners including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Union, Asean and the EFTA bloc. The wider export picture was also firm: government data showed total exports rose 15.92% to $129.32bn in the quarter, while industry reporting noted that merchandise exports reached $129.32bn and total exports, including services, stood at $232.73bn. That broader performance has added momentum to the government’s push for a $1tn export target in 2026-27, with ministers citing trade agreements and stronger global demand as key supports.
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