India registered a historic milestone by achieving its highest-ever quarterly merchandise exports of $129.54 billion in Q1 of FY 2026-27, marking a 16.1 percent growth over the previous year. While petroleum products continued to dominate total imports at nearly 26 percent, the merchandise trade deficit reached $30.4 billion in June 2026, driven largely by necessary capital and industrial inputs. Concurrently, India emerged as the global leader in ship recycling for 2025, expanding its market share to 35.4 percent with a recycling volume of 2.99 million Gross Tonnes, achieving its Maritime India Vision target five years ahead of schedule. On the domestic economic front, the Parliament was informed that out of 436 approved Special Economic Zones (SEZs), 277 are operational while 95 remain non-operational, with Haryana having the highest count at 14. Additionally, exports from operational SEZs reached ₹16.4 lakh crore in 2025-26, highlighting India’s expanding role in global value chains despite international economic uncertainties.