January merchandise trade deficit at $17.49 billion

India’s merchandise trade deficit in January stood at $17.49 billion, according to a Reuters calculation based on export and import data released by the government on Thursday. Economists had expected the country’s January trade deficit to be $20 billion, according to a Reuters poll.

India’s merchandise exports in January stood at $36.92 billion, while imports were $54.41 billion, government data showed. In the previous month, merchandise exports were $38.45 billion, while imports stood at $58.25 billion. In January, services exports were $32.80 billion, while imports were $16.05 billion. In December, services exports were $27.88 billion and imports were $13.25 billion.
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