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India's FTA Trade Share Hits 28.8%, But Export Basket Still Concentrated

The share of Free Trade Agreement partners in India's total trade has surged to 28.8% in 2024, marking a significant structural shift from just 4.6% in 2006. However, NITI Aayog's report warns that India's export basket remains highly concentrated in sectors like gold and platinum jewellery, posing a diversification risk. The analysis notes India's strong global position in worked diamonds but highlights a critical import dependence for raw diamonds. While total merchandise and services trade grew to $1.37 trillion, export performance has been uneven, underscoring the need to move up the value chain for sustained growth.

Key Points: India's FTA Trade Share Rises to 28.8%, NITI Aayog Reports

  • FTA share up from 4.6% in 2006
  • Export concentration risk in jewellery
  • Strong import dependence for raw diamonds
  • Trade grew to $1.37 trillion
2 min read

FTA partners' share in India's trade rises to 28.8%; export basket remains concentrated in jewellery: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog report shows FTA partners now account for 28.8% of India's trade, but warns of high export concentration in gems & jewellery.

"FTA partners have emerged as a key driver of India's trade integration in value chains. - NITI Aayog Report"

New Delhi, April 20

The share of Free Trade Agreement partners in India's trade has risen sharply to 28.8 per cent in 2024, highlighting a structural shift in the country's trade composition, even as concerns remain over export concentration in sectors such as gold and platinum jewellery, according to NITI Aayog's latest "Trade Watch Quarterly" report.

"FTA partners have emerged as a key driver of India's trade integration in value chains," the report said. It added that "India's trade composition has undergone a significant transformation, with the share of FTA partners rising from 4.6% in 2006 to 28.8% in 2024," indicating a clear reorientation of trade flows.

However, the report flagged risks arising from limited diversification in India's export basket. "Global demand is highly concentrated in gold and platinum jewellery... export concentration risks remain high, [with a] need to diversify," it said.

The analysis pointed out that while India holds a strong position in select segments, this dominance is not broad-based. "India remains key globally in the gems and jewellery sector, particularly in worked diamonds," the report noted.

At the same time, structural dependencies persist within the sector. "India [has a] strong import dependence for raw diamonds," it said, underlining vulnerabilities in the value chain.

The report also highlighted evolving trends within the jewellery segment. "Polished diamonds [share] has been on a decline from 60% [in] 2020," while "gold jewellery has been on a steady increase," it added, reflecting changing global demand patterns.

India's total merchandise and services trade grew by 5.3 per cent year-on-year to USD 1.37 trillion during April-December FY26, even as the country recorded a combined trade deficit of USD 34.3 billion, the report noted.

Further, product-level analysis showed that India's export performance has been uneven across categories. "India's share has declined or remained stagnant across most products, with the exception of raw and semi-processed silver," the report said.

The findings suggest that while deeper integration with FTA partners is reshaping India's trade landscape, diversification of exports and movement up the value chain remain critical for sustaining long-term growth.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting data. The shift from polished diamonds to gold jewellery shows how global tastes change. But the import dependence for raw diamonds is a serious vulnerability. We should be investing in mining or securing long-term contracts with producing nations.
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Vikram M
28.8% trade with FTA partners is a huge jump! đź‘Ź This shows our trade diplomacy is working. But the report is right to sound the alarm. We can't put all our eggs in the jewellery basket. Where are the electronics, pharmaceutical, and automobile exports? Time for a strategic push.
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Priya S
As someone from a family in the jewellery business in Surat, I see this firsthand. The demand is shifting, and we're adapting. But the government needs to help SMEs in this sector move up the value chain—better design, branding, not just cutting and polishing. We have the skill!
R
Rohit P
The trade deficit figure is concerning. We're trading more, but still importing more than we export in many areas. FTAs are good, but we must ensure they are truly reciprocal and benefit our manufacturing base, not just increase finished goods imports.
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Michael C
Respectfully, while the growth is impressive, the report highlights a lack of broad-based competitiveness. Stagnant or declining shares in most products is a red flag. It suggests our industrial policy needs a serious rethink to build export capability beyond a few sectors.

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