India’s strength amid global challenges, trade deficit reduced in February; Big relief on the economic front

India Trade Deficit February 2026: India’s merchandise trade deficit has reduced to $27.1 billion in February, which was $34.68 billion last month. This information was given by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday. Last month, the country’s merchandise exports increased to $36.61 billion, which was $36.56 billion in January. At the same time, imports have reduced to $63.71 billion, which was earlier $71.24 billion.

According to official data, the country’s merchandise exports stood at $ 402.93 billion in the April-February period of financial year 2025-26, which was $ 395.66 billion in the same period last year. This represents an annual growth of 1.84 percent during the review period.

Good news amid Middle East crisis

These figures have come to light at a time when there is a war going on between America, Israel and Iran, which started on February 28 and due to which the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. Has been interrupted. 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas is exported through this strait. The closure of the strait has also affected India’s exports of commodities like rice to Middle East countries. Earlier, about 50 per cent of India’s energy imports came through the Strait of Hormuz, but now it has diversified and a large part of it is coming from Russia.

India’s strategic oil reserves and diversification of energy imports from 40 supplier countries have significantly improved the country’s ability to withstand global energy crises, a senior official said. Due to this flexibility, there has been no energy crisis in India despite the disruption caused by the Iran war, as the government is handling the situation through supply-side management.

India in direct contact with Iran

India is also in direct touch with Iran to allow its merchant ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Shipping and Ports. Indian-flagged ship Jag Ladki on Sunday left Fujairah port in UAE safely for India with about 80,800 metric tonnes of Murban crude oil. The ship and all the Indian sailors on board are safe.

The statement further said that all Indian sailors present in the area are safe, and no accidents involving Indian sailors have been reported in the last 24 hours.

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Shivalik and Nanda Devi ships coming to India

Two Indian-flagged LPG carrier ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, loaded with about 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, on Saturday strait of hormuz Have crossed and are currently headed towards India. They are scheduled to reach Mundra port on Monday and Kandla port on Tuesday.