UPDATE 1 — India's September merchandise trade deficit at $30.21 billion
(Adds details in paragraphs 3-5) NEW DELHI, Oct 15 (Reuters) — India's merchandise trade deficit stood at $30.21 billion in September, according to a Reuters calculation based on government export and import data released on Thursday. Economists had expected the deficit to be $30.4 billion, according to a Reuters poll, compared with a deficit of $26.86 billion in August. Merchandise exports rose to $44.40 billion in September from $43.81 billion in the previous month, government data showed, while imports rose to $74.61 billion against $70.67 billion in August. Brent crude futures have stayed above $100 a barrel amid the Iran war. Attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have surged over the past 10 days, with Iran saying it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month. India is seeking to diversify its export markets, with a trade deal with New Zealand set to take effect next week and its pact with Britain already in force, while a broader agreement with the European Union moves towards implementation. (Reporting by Shivangi Acharya; Editing by Sonia Cheema) ((manoj.kumar@thomsonreuters.com; +919810286200; Twitter:@mano
(Adds details in paragraphs 3-5) NEW DELHI, Oct 15 (Reuters) — India's merchandise trade deficit stood at $30.21 billion in September, according to a Reuters calculation based on government export and import data released on Thursday. Economists had expected the deficit to be $30.4 billion, according to a Reuters poll, compared with a deficit of $26.86 billion in August. Merchandise exports rose to $44.40 billion in September from $43.81 billion in the previous month, government data showed, while imports rose to $74.61 billion against $70.67 billion in August. Brent crude futures have stayed above $100 a barrel amid the Iran war.
Attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have surged over the past 10 days, with Iran saying it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month. India is seeking to diversify its export markets, with a trade deal with New Zealand set to take effect next week and its pact with Britain already in force, while a broader agreement with the European Union moves towards implementation. (Reporting by Shivangi Acharya; Editing by Sonia Cheema) ((manoj.kumar@thomsonreuters.com; +919810286200; Twitter:@manojgulnar;)