In 2026, India is poised to make significant strides in global trade with the finalization of major free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Union and the United States, marking a departure from its previous protectionist policies. These deals, alongside ongoing talks with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, signal a strategic pivot to boost exports. However, experts caution that these agreements are not a panacea for export growth and highlight persistent challenges. Historically, India has struggled with low FTA utilization rates, around 25%, due to complex paperwork, audit risks, and a lack of understanding of provisions, leading to imports growing significantly faster than exports with FTA partners between 2017 and 2022. While recent agreements show improved export growth, issues like complex Rules of Origin, non-tariff barriers, and inconsistent customs interpretation continue to hinder exporters, particularly smaller businesses, from fully leveraging preferential market access and achieving competitiveness comparable to nations like Vietnam.