India exploring ways to boost fertiliser imports from US

TO ADDRESS THE persistent US complaint over its merchandise trade deficit with India, New Delhi is exploring the possibility of ramping up sourcing of fertilisers from the world's largest economy.

- MUKESH JAGOTA

The move follows a broader plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington in February, which included increasing imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US.

Natural gas is a critical feedstock for the production of urea—the most widely used fertiliser in India—which alone accounts for around 70% of the country's fertiliser subsidy bill.

While India already imports some fertilisers from the US, its share in overall imports is very low, totaling just $29 million out of overall fertiliser imports worth $8.29 billion in FY25.