India’s trade deficit widened sharply as US tariffs took hold

Mumbai: India’s trade deficit, the gap between what the country buys from abroad and what it sells, jumped to $32.1 billion in September 2025, the highest in over a year. This happened because imports rose sharply, especially for gold, fertilisers and electronics. Gold imports alone reached $9.6 billion, a 77 per cent increase from the previous month, driven by festive demand and rising global prices.

At the same time, India’s exports to the United States (US) dropped by about 12 per cent compared to last year. This fall came after the US introduced steep 50 per cent tariffs on several Indian goods, including textiles, leather and cotton fabrics. These sectors were hit hard, and the overall export numbers would have been worse if not for stronger sales to other countries like China, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Even though total exports grew by 6.8 per cent in September, the growth wasn’t enough to balance the surge in imports. As a result, India’s average monthly trade deficit rose to $28.7 billion in the second quarter of the financial year, up from $22.9 billion in the first. According to ICRA, this will likely push India’s current account deficit — a key measure of the country’s financial health — to 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product for the quarter, compared to just 0.2 per cent earlier.

The drop in exports to the US also shrank India’s trade surplus with its biggest trading partner. In September, the surplus fell to $1.5 billion, down from an average of $4.4 billion earlier in the year. While the Indian rupee has weakened against the dollar, which usually helps exports, it hasn’t been enough to offset the damage caused by the tariffs.

If the current US tariffs remain in effect through March 2026, India’s export performance is likely to deteriorate further, placing added strain on the country’s trade balance and broader financial outlook. The ICRA report underscores India’s heavy reliance on the US as a trading partner and points to the importance of strengthening ties with other global markets to reduce vulnerability and support long-term growth.