Negotiations are underway with the European Union, the Eurasian Economic Union, Mexico, Chile and the South American Mercosur trade bloc
Stakeholders have also called for rationalisation of customs duties on critical raw materials, extension of concessional tax regimes for new units
A NITI Aayog report points to a growing divergence within the auto sector as component exports grow rapidly, while shipments of finished vehicles remain modest
The think tank has called for targeted foreign investment, technology tie-ups and dedicated testing infrastructure to cut import dependence
This comes at a time when New Delhi is trying to sign trade deals various countries to diversify its exports and soften the blow caused by high US tariffs on Indian goods
India seeks deeper integration into global auto-component supply chains dominated by Mexico and Japanese and US players
All dual-use items are banned from being exported to Japan for military use effective immediately, China’s Ministry of Commerce said
In 2025, India signed FTAs with the United Kingdom and Oman, concluded negotiations with New Zealand, and saw the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the EFTA nations, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, enter into force in October.
The Cabinet approved the EPM in November 2025 with an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore for the period 2025-26 to 2030-31
India’s unique strengths give it the ability to step up the pace of services exports, which can act as a counter to any pressures on its goods exports
A source added that these efforts come amid a push to boost exports to Russia to balance the trade, with a focus on spurring Indian shipments of automobiles, auto components, and pharmaceuticals.
US tariffs, EU's CBAM, and global headwinds challenge India's merchandise exports, while alternative markets and services exports offer potential support.
Exporters are already adept at producing at scale and with low margins. When sales are under pressure due to tariffs, those skills can be used to tap into domestic consumption
Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said the country's exports in 2026 will face a far tougher global trade environment than it has seen in years.
Major research and brokerage houses expect the rupee to exit its current depreciating phase in 2026, but much will depend on the progress of the trade deal between India and its largest trading partner, the US.
Gains from tariff concessions are likely to be gradual, as exporters will need time to adjust to supply chains, secure buyers and expand their presence in New Zealand.
The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), signed on December 18, is likely to be implemented within the next three months.
Labour-intensive goods such as textiles, transport equipment, precision instruments, processed food, and gems and jewellery, which currently face tariffs of over 50 percent in the United States, are expected to benefit from diversification opportunities arising from the trade deal with Oman.
Experts say the free trade agreement also allows Indian exporters to diversify goods at a time when many face steeper US tariffs, positioning Oman as a strategic link to the Gulf and African markets.
This would raise India’s exports to Oman to over $6 billion, up from $4.1 billion in 2024–25, once the tariff concessions under the trade agreement take effect.
On the other hand, India has granted phased tariff concessions for products such as sweet biscuits, rusks, toasted bread, pastries and cakes, papad, and dog and cat food, with duties to be eliminated over a period of five to ten years.
New Delhi and Muscat are set to sign a trade deal on December 18 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation.
Economists say that the outcome of the negotiations for a trade deal between India and the US continues to be crucial, as the absence of an agreement could have negative implications for India’s current account deficit in the next fiscal year
HSBC Flash India Composite PMI slipped to 58.9 in December from 59.7 in November. Manufacturing and services lose momentum even as export orders pick up and inflation pressures remain muted
Merchandise exports to China from India increased by a whopping $1.05 billion in November 2025, growing over 90 percent year-on-year, while outbound shipments to the US rose more than 22 percent to $6.98 billion during the same period.