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The trade route connecting US coal mines in central Appalachia to Indian industrial sectors has expanded significantly, with nearly 25% of US coal exports destined for India last year. This surge in exports has reached a six-year high, as US coal companies, facing declining domestic demand, seek international markets.

Baltimore serves as a key export hub, with two terminals accounting for nearly 30% of US coal exports. However, the coal trade imposes health and environmental costs on communities in both the US and India, with residents in Curtis Bay experiencing high rates of respiratory issues linked to coal dust exposure. The structural decline of coal in the US, driven by competition from natural gas and renewables, is prompting companies like Core Natural Resources to focus on expanding export capacity to meet international demand.