India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the resilience and innovation of Indian exporters, noting that the country’s total exports surged to a record $825 billion in 2024-25, marking a 6% year-on-year growth despite a sluggish global economy.
Speaking at the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2025, Sitharaman said, “India’s exporters have swum against the tide. While global exports grew only 4%, ours accelerated by over 6.3%, reaching a historic high and surpassing the 2013-14 level by $466 billion.”
She highlighted that even as global trade remained stagnant due to recession-like conditions in key regions like Europe, Indian exporters adapted by targeting new markets and shifting focus to high-tech, well-engineered products.
“We are no longer just exporting bulk commodities. Indian exporters are now delivering high-standard, tech-enabled products to the world,” Sitharaman said. She also noted that free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US and EU are underway and expected to conclude soon, potentially boosting exports further. Addressing criticism about high import tariffs, Sitharaman pointed out that seven tariff rates were scrapped in the latest Union Budget, showing India’s commitment to fair trade.
Separately, the Finance Minister directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to improve grievance redressal efficiency, particularly via CPGRAMS and e-Nivaran platforms. As of mid-June 2025, over 82% of taxpayer grievances had been resolved.
She emphasized the need for faster resolution of taxpayer issues and reduction of litigation backlog. Of the 5.77 lakh pending appeals, more than 2.25 lakh are targeted for resolution this fiscal year, covering disputed demands worth over ₹10 lakh crore.
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