New Delhi, May 16 -- India's merchandise exports rose 13.79% year-on-year to a record $43.56 billion in April 2026, the highest for any April, even as the trade deficit widened to $28.38 billion from $27.10 billion a year ago, driven by a surge in gold, electronics and vegetable oil imports, government data showed on Friday. Imports came in at $71.94 billion, up 10.03% from $65.38 billion in April 2025. Gold imports surged nearly 82% to $5.63bn; electronics imports rose 38.2% to $12.78 billion; and vegetable oil imports climbed about 40% to $1.72 billion. Presenting the data, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the performance was achieved "in spite of challenges" - citing the West Asia war and supply chain disruptions - and was the high...