India’s FTA exports fire on all cylinders

India’s exports to key free trade agreement (FTA) partners surged in the first quarter of 2026-27, with shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka more than doubling, according to commerce ministry data.India has signed 17 FTAs with 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.Also Read: India, US remain in regular contact on proposed trade deal: Commerce SecretaryExports to Singapore jumped 101.2% to $6.52 billion during April-June 2026, from $3.24 billion in the corresponding period last year. Shipments to Sri Lanka soared 123.8% to $2.35 billion, compared with $1.05 billion a year earlier.Exports to the ASEAN region also recorded strong growth, rising 61.6% to $14.61 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal from $9.04 billion in April-June 2025-26.Shipments to the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) region increased 36.6% to $8.40 billion from $6.15 billion in the year-ago period.Among individual FTA partners, exports to Malaysia rose 75.2% to $2.54 billion, while shipments to Australia increased 25.2% to $2.68 billion during the quarter.Exports to the UK grew 11.1% to $3.69 billion from $3.32 billion in the year-ago period. The India-UK trade agreement was operationalised on July 15, 2026.Shipments to South Korea rose 22.6% to $1.95 billion, while exports to Japan increased 22.4% to $1.75 billion.Also Read: India’s July trade deficit widens to $31.98 bn from $30.43 bn in JuneIndia's exports to Oman grew 26.4% to $1.39 billion, while shipments to Nepal rose 18.1% to $2.28 billion.Exports to Bhutan and Thailand increased 16.1% and 6%, respectively, to $360 million and $1.23 billion."The data indicates that across key FTA partner countries, India's exports are growing robustly," an official said.The strong growth in shipments to FTA partner countries contributed significantly to the broader momentum in India's exports during the quarter.Overall, India's exports rose 15.92% to $129.32 billion during April-June 2026, the data showed.