India's exports grew by 6 percent as both merchandise and services exports overcame global headwinds: Economic Survey

India's trade performance

The Economic Survey notes that the total exports (merchandise and services) registered a steady growth of 6 percent in the first nine months of Financial Year 2024-25.

Growth in services and goods exports, excluding petroleum and gems and jewellery, was 10.4 per cent.

This indicates that Indian manufacturing, agriculture and services exports were able to compete with global competition.

Total imports during the same period registered a growth of 6.9 per cent.

Disruptions in global trade due to Red Sea crisis, Ukraine war and recent drought in the Panama Canal, allied with increased protectionist tendencies shown by many countries, have created uncertainties.

The number of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) that restrict international trade have also increased over the last few years.

The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) affect 31.6 per cent of the product lines, covering 67.1 per cent of the global trade as of December 2024.

This is followed by export-related measures, affecting 19.3 per cent of the product lines and covering 31.2 per cent of the global trade.

Sectors most affected by NTMs include agriculture, manufacturing, and natural resources.