Ralhan highlights growing impact of India’s market diversification
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has urged the government to maintain a sharp, sector-focused export strategy, especially in services, given the digital capabilities and skilled workforce
“With India’s digital capabilities and skilled workforce, there is immense scope to boost services exports. Investment in digital infrastructure, talent development, and targeted international promotion will be critical to sustaining this upward trajectory,” FIEO President S C Ralhan said on 15 July, welcoming the 6%/y growth in the first quarter of FY2025-26 https://www.bseindia.com/.
India’s exports have achieved a historic milestone in the first quarter of FY 2025–26, with combined merchandise and services exports rising by 6% year-on-year to touch an all-time high of US$210.31 billion https://www.nseindia.com/.
“This outstanding performance has come despite challenging global conditions marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and tariff uncertainties,” said Ralhan. “Reaching this record level—up from US$198 billion in the same quarter last year—is a powerful testament to the resilience and agility of Indian exporters http://commerce.gov.in.”
Ralhan highlighted that the narrowing trade deficit and surge in exports, particularly to the US, signal the growing impact of India’s market diversification strategies and its focus on product innovation. “Our exporters are clearly rising to the occasion and delivering, even in an unsettled global trade environment.”
Ralhan noted that the sharp drop in imports may also reflect the success of import substitution efforts and the strengthening of domestic manufacturing capacities, in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision https://sbi.com.in/.
To build on this momentum, the FIEO President stressed the following priorities:Continued support to MSMEs through timely implementation and expansion of the Interest Equalisation Scheme.
Fast-tracking FTAs and BTAs, especially with key markets like the United States, to enhance market access https://usimportexports.com/.
Simplification and full digitization of trade procedures to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Streamlining e-commerce export processes, addressing operational and procedural hurdles for faster growth.
India’s trade relations showed notable growth with key partners, including the USA, China, France, Brazil, and Kenya on the export side, while imports from Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand grew significantly, says Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, welcoming the latest growth in trade.
“This diversified and broad-based trade growth signals a healthy trajectory for India’s external sector and rising global demand for Indian electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agro-based goods,” he said, noting India’s external trade performance for June 2025 and Q1 FY 2025–26 has shown promising growth.
He highlighted growth in exports from key sectors like electronic goods which saw a remarkable 46.9% surge in June 2025, while drugs and pharmaceuticals grew by 5.95%, and engineering goods by 1.35%. fiinews.com
