India Signs Multiple FTAs but Faces Challenges in Utilisation and Trade Deficit
1 hour agoBusiness
23LENS
5 SourcesIndia
TBNthebalanced.news

India Signs Multiple FTAs but Faces Challenges in Utilisation and Trade Deficit

India has signed multiple Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries including Singapore, Japan, the UAE, and the EU, marking a shift from its historically protectionist stance. While exports have grown modestly, imports have risen faster, widening the trade deficit. Experts highlight that India's FTA utilisation rate remains low at around 25%, compared to 70-80% in developed economies, urging a focus on practical implementation to help exporters fully benefit from these agreements and convert market access into sustained export growth.

Political Bias
14%79%7%
Sentiment
62%
AI analysis of 2 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 24 May 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 5 sources
● Left 14%● Center 79%● Right 7%

The article group presents a range of perspectives focusing on India's trade policy and economic strategy without partisan framing. Government initiatives on FTAs and expert analyses are included, emphasizing both progress in trade agreements and challenges in utilisation. The coverage balances economic policy considerations with concerns about trade deficits and sectoral protections, reflecting a neutral stance on India's trade liberalization efforts.

Sentiment — Neutral (62/100)

The overall tone is mixed, combining recognition of India's active FTA signing and export growth with caution about low utilisation rates and widening trade deficits. Expert opinions suggest optimism about potential benefits if implementation improves, while also highlighting existing economic challenges. The sentiment remains factual and measured, avoiding sensationalism or undue criticism.

How 2 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
theprintIndia on an FTA signing spree, but limited utilisation widening trade deficits temper gainsCenterNeutral
theprintIndia on an FTA signing spree, but limited utilisation widening trade deficits temper gainsCenterNeutral

Coverage timeline

theprint broke this story on 24 May, 02:16 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    theprint24 May, 02:16 am
    India on an FTA signing spree, but limited utilisation widening trade deficits temper gains
  2. 2
    theprint24 May, 04:22 am
    India on an FTA signing spree, but limited utilisation widening trade deficits temper gains

Lens Score breakdown

23/100
Public interest0/100
Coverage gap100%

Well-covered story — coverage matches public importance.

Who's involved

Institutions and figures named across source coverage.

Government
Ministry of Commerce

Story context

Category
Business
Location
India
Sources analysed
5
Last analysed
24 May 2026
Key entities
Free trade agreementIndiaChinaSouth KoreaTrade agreementEuropean UnionJapanEuropean Free Trade AssociationUnited KingdomTariffSupply chainCanada