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India's Trade Deficit Hits Record $41.68 Billion in October on Gold, Silver Import Spike

Officials cite a festival-driven bullion surge, expecting pressures to ease after the season.

Overview

  • Exports fell 11.8% to $34.38 billion while imports rose 16.63% to $76.06 billion, pushing the goods gap far above economists’ estimates.
  • Gold imports surged to $14.72 billion—about a 200% jump year on year—and silver rose to roughly $2.7 billion, which the Commerce Secretary flagged as the primary driver.
  • Shipments to the United States declined to about $6.3 billion as 50% US tariffs weighed on labour‑intensive categories such as textiles, garments, shrimp, and gems and jewellery.
  • The government announced more than $5 billion in export relief and is pursuing negotiations with Washington to ease the tariff burden.
  • Services exports were estimated at $38.52 billion in October, and authorities expect precious‑metal inflows to cool after the festive and wedding season.