New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) India's trade deficit for merchandise goods has decreased to $27.1 billion in February, a significant drop from $34.68 billion in January, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday.

The nation's merchandise exports rose slightly to $36.61 billion from $36.56 billion the prior month. In contrast, imports saw a decline to $63.71 billion, down from $71.24 billion.

For the period of April to February 2025-26, India's merchandise exports totaled $402.93 billion, compared to $395.66 billion in the same timeframe last year, reflecting a growth of 1.84 percent, according to official statistics.

This data emerges amidst escalating tensions from the Iran conflict, which commenced on February 28, resulting in disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for 20 percent of the globe's oil and gas exports. This blockade has also adversely affected India's exports of essential commodities, including rice, to Middle Eastern nations.

Historically, approximately 50 percent of India's energy imports traversed the Strait of Hormuz; however, diversification efforts have led to a substantial increase in imports from Russia.

India's strategic oil reserves and its expansion of energy suppliers across 40 countries have significantly bolstered its ability to withstand global energy disruptions. This resilience has prevented an energy crisis within India, even amidst the ongoing Iran conflict, as the government effectively manages supply challenges, according to a senior official.

Furthermore, India is engaging directly with Iran to facilitate the passage of its merchant vessels through the Hormuz Strait. The Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki successfully departed from the UAE's Fujairah port on Sunday, transporting approximately 80,800 metric tonnes of Murban crude oil destined for India. Both the vessel and its crew are reported safe, as stated by the Ministry of Shipping and Ports.

All Indian seafarers currently in the region are confirmed safe, with no reported incidents involving Indian crews in the last 24 hours, according to the statement.

Additionally, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, which transported around 92,712 MT of LPG, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are en route to India, scheduled to arrive at Mundra Port on Monday and Kandla Port on Tuesday, respectively.

At present, there are 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region.

India’s macroeconomic conditions remain strong, with sufficient foreign exchange reserves to cover 11–12 months of imports. These reserves can also finance the country's oil import bills for a span of 5 years. Moreover, strategic reserves of crude oil and petroleum products are adequate to meet over 70 days of market demand, while import diversification continues to lessen reliance on the Middle East, as highlighted by the official.