New Delhi (PTI): India's merchandise exports to the US declined by 11.93 per cent to USD 5.46 billion in September due to the high tariffs imposed by Washington while imports increased by 11.78 per cent to USD 3.98 billion during the month, according to the commerce ministry data.
During the April-September period of this fiscal, the country's exports to the US increased by 13.37 per cent to USD 45.82 billion, while imports rose 9 per cent to USD 25.6 billion, the data showed.
The US has imposed a sweeping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods entering American markets from August 27. The two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement to boost two way commerce. The Indian team is in Washington for the trade talks.
According to think tank GTRI, shipments to the United States plunged in September, down 17.9 per cent from USD 6.87 billion in August, the sharpest monthly fall of 2025 and the fourth consecutive decline.
"September was also the first full month in which Indian goods faced Washington's 50 per cent tariff on most products," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. Exports to the US have been falling since June 2025 on a monthly basis. In May, exports rose by 4.8 per cent to USD 8.8 billion, marking the last month of growth before the duties took hold.
He added that between May and September, India's exports to the US have dropped by almost 37.5 per cent, wiping out more than USD 3.3 billion in monthly shipment value.
"The data confirm that the United States has become India's most severely affected market since the tariff escalation began, with sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and chemicals suffering the heaviest losses," Srivastava said.
India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement.
China, another major trading partner of India, saw a 34.18 per cent jump in exports from India to USD 1.46 billion in September and a 21.96 per cent growth in April-September 2025-26 to USD 8.41 billion.
Imports from the neighbouring country in September rose 16.35 per cent to USD 11.31 billion while during the first half of this fiscal, shipments rose by 11.25 per cent to USD 62.88 billion.
The UAE, the UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Italy were also among the countries, which saw positive growth in exports from India during the month under review.
However, exports to the Netherlands, Singapore, and France declined in September.
On the imports front, inbound shipments in September declined from nations, including Russia, Korea, Australia, Vietnam, Germany, and Taiwan.
However, imports rose from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, the UK and Thailand.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
