New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Confronted with a steep 50% tariff from the US, India's commerce ministry is moving to soften the blow by redirecting exports to trusted partners such as Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two government officials directly involved in the process told Mint on the condition of anonymity. The US tariff setback can act as a push for India to achieve its long-desired diversification of the trade basket, industry experts said.

Early signs of success on India's push are already visible, as Singapore has agreed to increase purchases of Indian farm goods and is likely to open its market to seafood, offering relief to marine exporters, while the UAE is being lined up as an alternative hub for textiles, one of the ...