what does india export to usa
India exports a wide range of goods to the USA, led by pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, gems and jewellery, and refined petroleum products.
India → USA: Big Picture
- India’s exports to the US were around USD 79–86 billion in 2024–25 , making the US India’s single largest export market.
- A recent trade agreement is expected to boost Indian exports further by cutting US tariffs on several Indian products like textiles, gems, agriculture items, and some industrial products.
Major Export Categories to the USA
1. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
- Generic medicines and pharma products are among the top Indian exports to the US, worth around USD 8–9 billion in 2024.
- These include generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and medical disposables, supplying a significant share of affordable medicines to the US market.
2. Engineering goods and machinery
- India exports machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, and engineering components worth over USD 6 billion annually to the US.
- This includes industrial machinery, automotive parts, electrical equipment, and metal components used in manufacturing and infrastructure.
3. Mineral fuels and refined petroleum
- Refined petroleum products and mineral fuels form another large category, valued at over USD 4 billion in exports to the US in 2024.
- These are mainly refined fuels and related oil products, reflecting India’s growing role as a refining hub.
4. Textiles, apparel, and leather goods
- India exports a broad range of textiles and garments to the US: cotton and man‑made fabrics, ready‑made garments, home textiles (bedsheets, towels), and specialty fabrics like silk.
- Leather goods, footwear, and travel goods (bags, belts, accessories) also feature prominently, with leather articles alone reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
5. Gems, jewellery, and precious metals
- Cut and polished diamonds, gold jewellery, and other precious‑stone jewellery are key export items from India to the US.
- Tariff cuts and zero‑duty access under the new trade arrangement are expected to make these even more competitive in the American market.
6. Metals and metal products
- India exports articles of iron and steel , aluminium products, and other base metals to US buyers, together amounting to several billion dollars.
- These are used in construction, automobiles, machinery, and consumer goods manufacturing.
7. Chemicals and allied products
- Organic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and intermediates for industrial use are significant export lines.
- These feed into US industries such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles.
8. Agriculture and food products
- While smaller than pharma or engineering, India exports spices, tea, coffee, nuts (including cashews), processed foods, and seafood to the US.
- A recent deal provides zero additional duty on several Indian food products such as spices, tea/coffee extracts, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, which should support further growth.
9. Home décor and lifestyle products
- The US market imports home décor, furniture items, handicrafts, carpets, and traditional Indian textiles that cater to both mainstream and ethnic consumers.
- These combine India’s traditional craftsmanship with modern designs, making them attractive in niche and premium segments.
10. Technology‑related products and services link
- On the goods side, India exports electronics components, IT hardware, and telecom equipment in smaller but growing volumes.
- Though not a “goods export,” the trade relationship is also strongly supported by India’s IT and business services exports to US clients, which complement physical trade.
Quick HTML Table: Key Export Categories
| Export category (India → USA) | Examples | Recent status / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical products | [9]Generic medicines, APIs, medical disposables | [9]Top export category; ~USD 8–9B in 2024 | [9]
| Machinery & engineering goods | [9]Industrial machinery, auto parts, boilers | [9]Over USD 6B exports to the US in 2024 | [9]
| Mineral fuels & refined petroleum | [9]Refined fuels, oil products | [9]More than USD 4B in 2024 | [9]
| Textiles & apparel | [1][2]Garments, home textiles, silk, cotton fabrics | [2][1]Tariff cuts from 50% to around 18% on many items | [1]
| Leather goods & footwear | [1][9]Shoes, bags, belts, travel goods | [1][9]Hundreds of millions of dollars in annual exports | [9]
| Gems & jewellery | [3][1]Cut diamonds, gold jewellery, precious stones | [3][1]Benefiting from lower US tariffs and wider market access | [1]
| Metals & metal articles | [9]Iron & steel products, aluminium items | [9]Used across US construction and manufacturing | [9]
| Chemicals | [3][9]Organic chemicals, intermediates, specialty chemicals | [3][9]Support US pharma, plastics, and textile sectors | [3][9]
| Agricultural & food products | [7][1]Spices, tea, coffee, nuts, fruits, seafood | [7][1]Some items now enjoy zero additional duty in the US | [1]
| Home décor & handicrafts | [2][1]Carpets, furnishings, artisan crafts | [2][1]Blend of traditional designs and modern demand | [2]
| Electronics & tech-related goods | [2][3]Electronic components, IT hardware, telecom equipment | [2][3]Smaller but rising share in exports to the US | [3]
Trending and “Latest news” angle
- In early 2026, a new US–India trade deal was announced, promising “zero-duty access across large product categories” for Indian exports, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, agriculture, and technology‑driven products.
- This is expected to make Indian products more price‑competitive in the US market and could push bilateral trade toward the projected USD 300 billion level by 2026–27.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.