Mon Sep 15 15:33:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:
**Summary:**
India’s trade deficit significantly narrowed in August 2025 due to strong export growth and reduced imports. Total exports rose, with merchandise and services exports both contributing to the increase. Despite tariffs imposed by the U.S., exports to the U.S. also saw an increase. Imports decreased overall, primarily driven by a reduction in merchandise imports. This strong performance has led to a lower trade deficit for the April-August period compared to the previous year.
**News Article:**
**India’s Trade Deficit Plummets Amid Export Surge, Defying Global Uncertainty**
*NEW DELHI -* India’s trade deficit experienced a dramatic contraction of over 54% in August 2025, fueled by a robust surge in exports and a significant decline in imports, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The trade deficit shrank to $9.9 billion, a substantial improvement from the $21.7 billion recorded in August 2024.
Total exports climbed to $69.2 billion, marking a 9.3% increase year-on-year. Merchandise exports rose by 6.7% to $35.1 billion, while services exports demonstrated particularly strong growth, jumping to $34.1 billion from $30.4 billion in the same period last year.
Notably, exports to the United States remained strong, reaching $6.86 billion despite the imposition of tariffs, which reached as high as 50% at the end of August.
“Despite the global uncertainties and the trade policy uncertainties, India’s exporters have done extremely well,” Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal stated at a press conference. “It shows that the policies of the Government of India have paid off well.”
On the import front, India’s total imports fell by 7% to $79 billion, largely driven by a 10.1% contraction in merchandise imports, which reached $61.6 billion. Services imports saw a slight increase, rising to $17.45 billion.
The positive export performance in August has significantly impacted the overall trade deficit for the April-August period, reducing it by 20.1% compared to the same period in 2024, standing at $41.4 billion.