South Korea’s exports to India rose 30.8% year-on-year to $16.8 billion from January through August 2026, while imports increased 16.2% to $5.03 billion, according to trade data analyzed by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and released on the 7th. Bilateral trade surpassed $21.8 billion by August. August exports reached a record $2.34 billion, up 47.3% from a year earlier, following a 41.9% increase in April. Semiconductors led industrial export growth, rising 177.5% to $690 million between Jan. 1 and Aug. 25, while petrochemicals and general machinery increased to $320 million and $150 million, respectively. KOTRA attributed the gains to India’s Make in India policy, investment in artificial intelligence, data centers and infrastructure, and stronger integration of Korean materials, parts and equipment companies into local supply chains. Consumer exports also advanced, with noodle products up 54.7% and cosmetics and beauty products up 19.2% through July. After an April summit, South Korea and India set a goal of expanding bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. KOTRA plans to support the target through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement discussions, supply-chain cooperation and a semiconductor partnership event involving 15 South Korean companies and Indian firms including Tata and Micron.