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Impact of Middle East Conflict on Indian Trade (March 2026)
Comparison of trade percentage change with the Middle East region during March.
Primary Sources
Indian exports to Middle East drop $3.5 billion in March, April to ...
Key export sectors impacted include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, electronic goods, petroleum products, and rice, all of which saw reduced shipments to the Middle East during March. April 15, 2026 / 17:31 IST The sharper fall in imports from Middle East comes against the backdrop of India’s trade deficit with the region, driven largely by high energy imports. Indian exports to Middle East fell 58 percent in MarchKey sectors hit include engineering, gems, electronics, and riceExports may shift to other markets amid ongoing disruptionsDid our AI summary help? Indian exports to the Middle East plunged nearly 58 percent in March, with further challenges expected in April due to ongoing logistical disruptions arising from the West Asia crisis, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on April 15.Key export sectors impacted include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, electronic goods, petroleum products, and rice, all of which saw reduced shipments to the Middle East during March.In absolute terms, exports to the region declined by $3.5 billion in March, bringing total outbound shipments down to about $2.5 billion from the usual monthly average of around $6 billion, Agrawal said, adding that imports from the region also fell significantly, declining by $8.7 billion or over 50 percent.The sharper fall in imports from Middle East comes against the backdrop of India’s trade deficit with the region, driven largely by high energy imports.“As you are aware, we import more, we run a trade deficit due to high energy imports, these are the reasons for the dip,” he noted.Despite the disruptions, the government and exporters are exploring alternative routes to sustain trade flows. “Certain ports in the Middle East are still functioning, so we are trying to see if we can send exports through those routes like any other country,” Agrawal said.He added that authorities are working closely with industry stakeholders to address operational bottlenecks. “Our approach is to keep in touch with stakeholders and resolve operational issues as and when they come. With support from the ecosystem we have been able to resolve most of the trade issues arising due to the West Asia crisis,” he said.Looking ahead, while the Middle East corridor is expected to remain under strain in the near term, exporters are likely to pivot to other geographies. “Our exporters will adapt and we hope to diversify to other markets wherever we can't send to the Middle East,” Agrawal said, maintaini...
India exports fall 7.44% in March to $38.92 bn amid Middle East ...
India’s merchandise exports declined 7.44% year-on-year to $38.92 billion in March as disruptions in key trade routes amid the Middle East conflict weighed on outbound shipments.Imports also fell 6.51% to $59.59 billion from $63.75 billion in the year-ago period, reflecting the impact of tensions affecting routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, according to government data cited by PTI.The country’s trade deficit stood at $20.67 billion during the month.Briefing reporters, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said exports have remained resilient despite global headwinds.He said India’s total exports of goods and services rose 4.22% to $860 billion in 2025-26.Merchandise exports during April-March 2025-26 increased 1% to $441.78 billion from $437.7 billion in the previous year, while imports rose to $774.98 billion from $721.2 billion.Services exports were estimated at $418.31 billion for the fiscal year, he said.Agrawal said the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, significantly impacted regional trade flows.India’s exports to the Middle East declined 57.95% in March, while imports from the region fell 51.64% during the same period, he said.He also indicated that the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK could come into force next month.
India's exports to the Middle East have taken a hit amid the ongoing ...
21 hours ago ... ... Middle East have taken a hit amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, with government officials flagging logistical disruptions and a sharp fall in shipments in March ...
Geopolitical tensions cripple India-Middle East trade in March
15 hours ago ... India's trade with the Middle East saw a significant drop in March. Exports and imports fell by over 50 percent. This decline resulted from disruptions ...
