NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam has stressed on the need to strengthen and diversify the country’s manufacturing base. Launching NITI Aayog’s Trade Watch Quarterly report for the fourth quarter of financial year 2025 in New Delhi, Mr Subhramanyam said that improving competitiveness in manufacturing is essential. He also stressed that India must adapt quickly to evolving demand patterns, diversify its export base, and enhance competitiveness in non-leather footwear and global value chains, while closely monitoring geopolitical shifts in trade. 

 

 

The report highlights that the country’s total trade in financial year 2025 stood at 1.73 trillion dollars, growing 6 percent year-on-year with exports 823 billion dollars and imports at 908 billion dollars. It also highlights that services exports reached a record 387.5 billion dollars in the financial year 2025. The report also underlines needs to strengthen skilling and technology adoption by expanding apprenticeship-based training, promoting research and development for design innovation.

 

 

The quarterly report also assesses country’s leather and footwear exports, which employs 4.4 million people and contributes significantly to exports. It also highlights comprehensive analysis of country’s trade for the quarter and examines the leather and footwear sector, highlighting its employment potential, export opportunities, and the need for greater competitiveness in global markets.