New Delhi: India's merchandise exports declined by 9.3 percent to US $ 34.71 billion in August from US $ 38.28 billion in the same month a year ago, according to government data released on Tuesday.

Imports rose 3.3 percent to US$64.36 billion in August, from US$62.3 billion a year earlier.

The trade deficit, or the difference between imports and exports, widened to US$29.65 billion during the month under review.

India's merchandise exports declined by 1.5 percent in July.

During April-August in the current financial year, exports increased by 1.14 percent to US $ 178.68 billion and imports increased by 7 percent to US $ 295.32 billion.