Trade Deficit Hits $28.38 Billion in April

18-May-2026 04:36 PM

New Delhi. Driven by imports significantly outpacing exports, India's foreign trade deficit surged to $28.38 billion in April 2026, placing increased pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves.

Although the Central Government is making every possible effort to curb imports from abroad, it has yet to achieve the desired level of success in this endeavor. The largest share of foreign exchange expenditure is incurred on the import of commodities such as petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver, edible oils, and pulses.

According to official statistics, compared to March, the country's exports of commercial goods rose from $38.92 billion to $43.56 billion during April; conversely, India's imports jumped from $59.59 billion to $71.94 billion. This implies a massive trade gap of $28.38 billion, representing the extent to which imports exceeded exports.

The government attributes this situation to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has—on one hand—adversely affected India's exports of commercial goods, and—on the other—driven up the cost of oil and gas imports. In response, the government has now increased import duties on gold and imposed a ban on the import of silver.

Domestic consumption of petrol and diesel is also being curtailed with the aim of reducing their import volume. Furthermore, an appeal has been issued to the general public and the industry alike to reduce their consumption of edible oils. The tangible results of these various measures are expected to become visible in the near future.