India's April 2026 merchandise exports rose nearly 14% to $43.6 billion, indicating successful diversification and new market entry despite disruptions. Non-oil exports grew 9%. Resilience was evident in key sectors, though West Asia trade fell due to the regional crisis. Gold imports surged. Services now constitute 49% of total exports, but AI's impact on IT services is a concern. While diversification efforts are fruitful, India needs enhanced competitiveness in cost, scale, and quality to truly become a global contender.