India’s Exports to China up 37% in Apr-Dec: Minister

• India’s exports to China rose 37% to $14.2 billion during April–December, with December 2025 shipments surging 67%.

• Imports from China grew 13.5% to nearly $96 billion in the same period.

• Imports mainly include capital goods, intermediates, and raw materials.

• Several sectors saw lower imports in 2024–25, notably fertilisers and chemicals.

• Rising electronics imports reflect India’s digital and manufacturing expansion.

India’s trade engagement with China showed contrasting movements during the current financial period, with exports posting strong growth even as imports moderated in certain sectors, according to information shared by the government in Parliament.

Exports from India to China rose sharply by 37% to reach $14.2 billion during the April–December period, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The momentum was particularly strong toward the end of the year, with shipments in December 2025 alone climbing 67% to more than $2 billion.

On the import side, India continued to source a significant volume of goods from China. Data released by the commerce department indicated that imports during the first nine months of the financial year increased by 13.5%, touching nearly $96 billion.

Responding to questions in Parliament, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada explained that the bulk of imports from China consist of capital goods, intermediate products, and raw materials that support domestic manufacturing. He noted that these inputs are essential for sustaining production across several key industries.

At the same time, the minister highlighted a decline in imports from China across multiple sectors in the previous financial year, 2024–25. Fertilisers recorded a sharp reduction of 61.4%, while chemicals saw imports fall by 19.7%. Iron and steel imports dropped by 10.3%, and man-made yarn imports declined by 9.5% compared with the year before.

“In 2024–25, a decline in imports from China was observed across several sectors compared to the previous year,” Prasada said while addressing concerns related to India’s trade balance with its neighbour.

He also pointed out that India continues to import items such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, auto parts, electronic components, and mobile phone assemblies, which are then used in the manufacture of finished goods domestically. These imports, he said, are driven by strong demand from rapidly growing sectors including electronics, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and power.

According to the minister, the rising inflow of electronic components, computer hardware, peripherals, and telecom equipment reflects India’s ongoing shift toward a digitally driven economy and its ambition to strengthen its position as a knowledge-based society.