India’s merchandise trade deficit widens to $30.43 billion in June, increasing from $28.21 billion in the previous month, according to the two reports. The widening extends the deficit to a five-month high level. Economists expected a smaller deficit: a Reuters poll cited by one outlet forecasts June’s trade deficit at $26.63 billion. The data indicate a larger gap between imports and exports in June than both the prior month and market expectations. While the reports focus on the overall deficit figure and do not detail sector-wise or commodity-wise drivers, they consistently present the same headline numbers: the June deficit is $30.43 billion, up from $28.21 billion in May, and above the $26.63 billion median estimate from the Reuters poll. The coverage therefore aligns on the magnitude of the widening and the divergence from forecast figures.