The country's merchandise shipments, which were mostly in negative zone during the first half due to the global slowdown, started posting healthy growth during second half.
From July, the exports grew in double digits and in fact registered a two-year high growth in October (13.47 per cent). However, the growth rate moderated to 5.9 per cent in November.
While efforts to diversify from traditionally strong markets of the US and Europe yielded positive results, continued dependence on western economies led to slow growth in overall merchandise shipments. The US and Europe account for about one-third of India's exports.
Although the country's exports surpassed the $300-billion mark during 2012-13 and 2011-12, the country's trade deficit also touched an all-time high of $191 billion during the last fiscal as imports surged.
A widening trade gap directly impacts current account deficit (CAD) and the rupee. The CAD touched a historic high of 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2012-13 and this was mainly attributed to high imports of gold and petroleum products.
A high level of CAD puts pressure on the pressure on the rupee, which has depreciated by about 15 per cent since April 30.
Building on the recent momentum, India's exports during the current fiscal are likely to touch USD 325 billion on the back of improved demand in the US and Europe.
According to an official in Commerce Ministry, any problem in the global market will impact India as its integration with global trade has reached a high level.
On a cautious note, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has slashed its forecast for trade growth in 2013. It cut its forecast for global trade growth in 2013 to 3.3 per cent from 4.5 per cent. For 2014, it has cut down the forecast to 4.5 per cent from 5 per cent earlier.