India’s merchandise exports to the United States rebounded strongly in November, rising 22.61 per cent year-on-year to USD 6.98 billion, driven by global supply-chain realignments and seasonal inventory restocking ahead of the US holiday period, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).
The recovery comes after two consecutive months of contraction, which followed the imposition of steep tariffs by the US on certain Indian goods. Imports from the US also registered robust growth during the month, increasing 38.29 per cent to USD 5.25 billion, reflecting higher bilateral trade activity.
GTRI noted that electronics and machinery continued to dominate India’s export basket to the US. The think tank said the November rebound indicates exporters adjusting to a more challenging tariff environment, though it cautioned that the improvement remains fragile and is largely driven by short-term strategies rather than structural gains.
Data for November shows a broad-based recovery across nearly 85 per cent of export segments. Sectors recording a turnaround include electronics—particularly smartphones—gems and jewellery, machinery, vehicles and auto components, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, carpets, mineral fuels, organic chemicals, plastics, rubber products, as well as marine, dairy and agricultural items such as edible fruits and nuts.
Pharmaceutical exports to the US reached USD 669.2 million in November, while shipments of gems and jewellery recovered to USD 406.2 million, underlining renewed demand across both high-value and consumer-driven categories.
