New Delhi, June 15 -- India's merchandise exports climbed 18% in May, led by outbound shipments of engineering goods, petroleum products and electronics goods.

Merchandise exports were estimated at $45.20 billion last month, up from $38.30 billion a year earlier, according to provisional data released by the ministry of commerce and industry on Monday.

Imports climbed 20.6% to $73.41 billion from $60.86 billion. The trade deficit widened to $28.21 billion from $22.56 billion in May last year.

Services exports rose to $36.76 billion in May from $32.46 billion a year earlier, while services imports rose to $19.06 billion from $16.70 billion.

The overall trade deficit, including services, widened to $10.51 billion in May from $6.79 billi...