Following a month-long halt due to the imposition of a 3% import levy, Indian banks have resumed importing gold and silver. The pause in imports had temporarily slowed the inflow of these precious metals. The resumption is anticipated to boost gold imports, potentially widening India's trade deficit. Additionally, this development may exert further pressure on the Indian rupee, which has been among the worst-performing currencies in Asia in 2026. The move reflects ongoing challenges in balancing import duties with market demand and currency stability in India's precious metals sector. The ​resumption is expected to boost the country’s gold imports, widen ⁠the trade deficit and put more pressure on the rupee, which is among Asia’s worst-performing currencies this year.