Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 14: India’s exports to key free trade agreement (FTA) partner countries recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026-27, with shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka more than doubling, according to Commerce Ministry data.

India has so far signed 17 FTAs with various countries and regional blocs, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Union, ASEAN and the EFTA bloc. Of these, 16 are currently operational.

Exports to Singapore surged 101.2 per cent to $6.52 billion during April-June 2026, compared with $3.24 billion in the corresponding period last year. Shipments to Sri Lanka increased 123.8 per cent to $2.35 billion from $1.05 billion.

Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region rose 61.6 per cent to $14.61 billion during the first quarter of the fiscal year, compared with $9.04 billion in April-June 2025-26.

Shipments to the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) region increased 36.6 per cent to $8.40 billion from $6.15 billion during the year-ago period.

Among individual countries, India's exports to Malaysia grew 75.2 per cent to $2.54 billion, while shipments to Australia increased 25.2 per cent to $2.68 billion during April-June 2026-27.

Exports to the UK rose 11.1 per cent to $3.69 billion during the quarter from $3.32 billion in the corresponding period last year. The India-UK trade agreement was operationalised on July 15, 2026.

Shipments to South Korea increased 22.6 per cent to $1.95 billion, while exports to Japan grew 22.4 per cent to $1.75 billion.

India’s exports to Oman rose 26.4 per cent to $1.39 billion, while shipments to Nepal increased 18.1 per cent to $2.28 billion.

Exports to Bhutan and Thailand also registered growth, rising 16.1 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively, to $360 million and $1.23 billion during the period.

The data indicates that India's exports to key FTA partner countries are growing robustly, an official said.

The sharp rise in shipments to these markets contributed significantly to the overall momentum in India's exports during the quarter.

During April-June this fiscal, the country's total exports increased 15.92 per cent to $129.32 billion.