Archive · 20 Sep 2026
India’s exports accelerate as free trade agreements expand market access
India has trade agreements that make it easier to sell goods in some countries.
During April-June 2026, Indian exports to several of these partners grew strongly.
Sales to Singapore more than doubled.
Sales to Sri Lanka also more than doubled.
Exports to the ASEAN region rose by more than 60 percent.
Exports to Australia, Japan, South Korea and other partners increased as well.
The government says exporters are using the special benefits offered by these agreements.
More Indian products are now being sold in markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
India recorded total exports of $863.1 billion in FY 2025-26.
India’s exports to several FTA partners rose sharply during April-June 2026, the first quarter of FY 2026-27.
Exports to Singapore increased 101.2% to $6.52 billion, while shipments to Sri Lanka rose 123.8% to $2.35 billion.
Exports to the ASEAN region climbed 61.6% to $14.61 billion, with Malaysia recording 75.2% growth.
Exports also grew to Australia, South Korea, Japan, Oman, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand during the quarter.
The Commerce Ministry said exporters are using preferential arrangements, with expanded product categories under agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
- Who
- Indian exporters and India’s trading partners, including Singapore, Sri Lanka, ASEAN, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
- What
- India’s exports to several free trade agreement partners increased substantially during the first quarter of FY 2026-27.
- When
- April-June 2026; the agreements’ broader export performance is also reported for FY 2025-26.
- Where
- India’s export markets, including Singapore, Sri Lanka, ASEAN, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and other partner economies.
- Why
- Preferential trade arrangements and free trade agreements are providing negotiated market access and lower-tariff opportunities for Indian exporters.
- India’s total exports
- $863.1 billion in FY 2025-26, including $441.8 billion in merchandise exports and $421.3 billion in services exports.
- Singapore exports
- Rose 101.2% year-on-year to $6.52 billion during April-June 2026.
- Sri Lanka exports
- Rose 123.8% to $2.35 billion during April-June 2026.
- ASEAN exports
- Rose 61.6% to $14.61 billion during the first quarter of FY 2026-27.
- United Arab Emirates agreement
- The India-UAE CEPA has produced 4.45 lakh Certificates of Origin since coming into force in May 2022.
- Australia agreement
- The India-Australia ECTA has produced 2.73 lakh Certificates of Origin since entering into force in December 2022.
- UAE product coverage
- Indian tariff lines exported to the UAE increased from 7,546 in FY 2021-22 to 8,053 in FY 2025-26.