NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog launches fifth edition of “Trade Watch Quarterly”
प्रविष्टि तिथि: 06 JAN 2026 4:48PM by PIB Delhi
“The latest edition of Trade Watch Quarterly offers a comprehensive and data-driven assessment of India’s trade performance amid evolving global conditions, with a special focus on the structure and competitiveness of India’s automotive exports.” – Dr. Arvind Virmani, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog.
The latest edition of the ‘Trade Watch Quarterly’ for Quarter I of FY 2025–26 (April–June 2025) was released on 6th January 2026 in New Delhi by Dr. Arvind Virmani, Hon’ble Member of NITI Aayog, in the distinguished presence of senior officials and other members.
The publication highlights emerging structural shifts in India’s trade profile, including the rising contribution of technology-intensive exports, the continued strength of services-led growth, and changes in import composition reflecting deeper integration into global value chains. In addition, the thematic section of this quarter’s edition focuses on India’s automotive exports, examining global demand patterns, India’s export footprint across vehicles and auto components, tariff structures, intra-industry trade, and participation in global value chains, while identifying key challenges and policy priorities to strengthen competitiveness and export performance.
The thematic focus of this quarter’s edition is India’s automotive exports, a sector with rising global relevance, strong domestic production capabilities, and expanding international market presence. India has achieved notable gains in auto components and in vehicle segments such as motorcycles and tractors, reflecting growing manufacturing depth and competitiveness. With increasing integration into global value chains and a broad export footprint across advanced and emerging markets, the sector is well positioned to scale further through continued value-chain integration, improved logistics, and closer alignment with global demand.
Though India has done well in specific segments of the automotive export market, there are significant opportunities to increase market share in the $2.2 trillion global automotive export market, which is growing. The analysis, based on mapping of global automotive exports, India’s exports, and stakeholder consultations, suggests specific policy steps to enhance competitiveness, global positioning, two-way trade, and to reorient production toward high-demand segments. Further, suggestions include strengthening quality standards, certification systems, technology adoption and market diversification alongside fostering forward linkages in global automotive supply chains.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Virmani emphasised that strengthening India’s export competitiveness, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, will be critical for sustaining long-term growth and employment generation.
The publication serves as a valuable reference for policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and academia by offering evidence-based insights and forward-looking policy recommendations to strengthen India’s trade performance in a rapidly changing global environment.
The full publication can be accessed at: https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-01/Trade_Watch_Quarterly_April_June_Q1_FY26.pdf
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