China-India Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $137.70B total volume •China surplus: $102.12B
China → India
$119.91B
Exports (2023)
India → China
$17.79B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$102.12B
Surplus for China
Total Trade
$137.70B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between China and India. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-India commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
China → India Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
China's export portfolio to India demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
India → China Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
China's import pattern from India reveals significant dependencyin iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingtelephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts to India, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $137.70B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: China-India Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $137.70 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $102.12 billion
- Export Focus: China's primary exports include telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts, automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display, electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from India include iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated, iron ores and concentrates: agglomerated (excluding roasted iron pyrites), petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents one of the world's largest trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $137.70B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts.
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
China's specialization in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: partscomplements India's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $137.70B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $137.70B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $137.70 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts and iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
China's trade surplus of $102.12 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between China and India represents a total trade volume of $137.70 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $102.12 billion.
Export Strengths
China's exports to India total $119.91 billion, with competitive advantages in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts, representing $8.18B or6.8% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from India amount to $17.79 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated, with Iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated comprising12.1% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between China and India in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023