New Delhi, July 15 -- India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $18.78 billion in June from $21.88 billion in May amid a shift in export and import activity, provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed on Tuesday.

Merchandise exports fell to $35.14 billion in June, compared with $38.73 billion in the previous month. Imports declined to $53.92 billion, down from $60.61 billion in May.

In absolute terms, India had exported $35.20 billion worth of goods in June 2024, while imports totalled $56.18 billion, resulting in a trade gap of $21 billion.

Total exports of merchandise goods and services were $67.98 billion last month, while imports of goods and services were $71.50 billion. The net trade deficit was...