India posts record H1 FY26 export performance at $418.6 bn

India’s export sector has delivered its strongest first-half performance ever in FY 2025–26, underscoring the country’s growing global competitiveness despite a challenging international trade environment. The Commerce and Industry Ministry informed Parliament on Tuesday that total exports between April and September 2025 touched $418.6 billion, up from $395.7 billion in the same period a year earlier.

The 5.8% year-on-year growth marks the highest export levels recorded in the first two quarters of any financial year. Both Q1 and Q2 posted all-time high quarterly export figures, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Officials noted that India’s export trajectory remains robust, even though October 2025 witnessed a slight decline. The dip was attributed to an unusually high base in October 2024, which had registered the best-ever export performance for that month.

Prasada reiterated that India’s export strategy is anchored in “credibility, resilience, and sustained global engagement,” adding that ongoing high-level interactions and trade negotiations continue to reinforce economic partnerships and deliver long-term gains.

He highlighted that the country’s export strength is supported by structural reforms, improved logistics efficiency, expanded port infrastructure, and targeted facilitation measures. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have bolstered manufacturing competitiveness, while services exports remain a key driver of India’s external sector.

The government also reported progress on the trade diplomacy front, noting that five major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have been concluded over the past five years. These include pacts with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the India–UK agreement, the latter set to take effect following ratification.

According to the ministry, these agreements reflect sustained negotiations and reciprocal official visits that have helped deepen trust and strengthen long-term economic cooperation with partner nations.