New Delhi, August 18: India’s recent free trade agreements (FTAs) are playing a crucial role in accelerating the country’s export growth. According to a fact sheet released by the central government on Tuesday, exports to new trade partner countries are consistently increasing. This trend not only enhances the global reach of Indian products but also allows more companies to benefit from the tariff advantages these agreements provide.
The fact sheet indicates a noticeable rise in trade activities with India’s recent FTA partner countries. Initial export benefits, the growing use of preferential certificates of origin, and the expansion of various product exports suggest that Indian businesses are effectively leveraging the opportunities presented by these agreements.
The government states that various initiatives are underway to help exporters access new markets and take advantage of the concessions available under these agreements. These efforts are also providing small and medium enterprises with the opportunity to compete in international markets.
India’s recent trade agreements cover several significant global markets, broadening the scope of the country’s trade relations and creating new opportunities for exporters.
In the fiscal year 2025-26, India’s total goods and services exports reached a record $863.1 billion, including $441.8 billion in merchandise exports. This positive trend is expected to continue in the current fiscal year, with combined exports estimated at $232.73 billion during April-June 2026, marking an 11.37% increase compared to the same period last year.
The share of FTA partner countries in India’s overall export performance is steadily rising. The initial success of utilizing tariff concessions and the increasing diversity of exported products further illustrates that Indian companies are effectively capitalizing on trade agreement opportunities.
Notably, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia have shown remarkable growth. Exports to the UAE have surpassed $37.35 billion, while exports to Australia have exceeded $7.28 billion. This reflects the early success of the recent trade agreements with both countries.
The government emphasizes that the real benefit of any FTA comes not merely from the agreement itself but from its effective utilization. Exporters must certify that their products meet the rules of origin specified in the agreement.
To facilitate this, a preferential certificate of origin (COO) is issued, confirming that the products comply with the agreement’s rules, allowing them to benefit from reduced or zero tariffs in the importing country.
According to the government, the use of this facility under various FTAs is continuously increasing. A significant number of certificates of origin have been issued under the UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), both effective since 2022. This indicates that Indian exporters are widely utilizing tariff concessions.
Positive signals have also emerged under new agreements. After the European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (EFTA-TEPA) came into effect in October 2025, 7,885 certificates of origin were issued. Meanwhile, 783 certificates have been issued since the Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was implemented in June 2026.
The fact sheet states that the increasing number of certificates of origin is evidence that Indian exporters are rapidly utilizing the benefits of FTAs. The government has simplified processes and provided digital facilities to make this process even easier.
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