India-Bhutan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.40B total volume •India surplus: $558.30M

IndiaBhutan

$979.50M

Exports (2023)

BhutanIndia

$421.20M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$558.30M

Surplus for India

Total Trade

$1.40B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between India and Bhutan. Green line shows exports from India, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the India-Bhutan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

IndiaBhutan Exports

$979.50M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
16.8% top product
1Petroleum 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
$164.56M
16.8% of exports
2Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms
$39.30M
4.0% of exports
3Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms
$37.61M
3.8% of exports
4Wood: charcoal of wood other than bamboo (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated
$32.43M
3.3% of exports
5Coke and semi-coke: of coal, lignite or peat, whether or not agglomerated: retort carbon
$28.51M
2.9% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

India's export portfolio to Bhutan demonstrates strategic specialization, with 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 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

BhutanIndia Imports

$421.20M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
35.1% concentration
1Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon
$148.00M
35.1% of imports
2Aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg
$103.49M
24.6% of imports
3Dolomite, not calcined or sintered: including dolomite roughly trimmed, or merely cut by sawing or otherwise into blocks or slabs of rectangular (including square) shape
$50.55M
12.0% of imports
4Ferro-alloys: ferro-silico-manganese
$23.78M
5.6% of imports
5Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, other than rectangular or square cross-section
$12.43M
3.0% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

India's import pattern from Bhutan reveals significant dependencyin ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

India demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum 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 to Bhutan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $1.40B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: India-Bhutan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.40 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: India maintains a surplus of $558.30 million
  • Export Focus: India's primary exports include 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, ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms, propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Bhutan include ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, dolomite, not calcined or sintered: including dolomite roughly trimmed, or merely cut by sawing or otherwise into blocks or slabs of rectangular (including square) shape

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional 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 $1.40B 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 India leveraging its comparative advantages in 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.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

India's specialization in 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 oilscomplements Bhutan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.40B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.40B 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 $1.40 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in 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 and ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

India's trade surplus of $558.30 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in 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 may affect future market positioning.

🎯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 India and Bhutan represents a total trade volume of $1.40 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for India, with exports exceeding importsby $558.30 million.

Export Strengths

India's exports to Bhutan total $979.50 million, with competitive advantages in 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, representing $164.56M or16.8% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Bhutan amount to $421.20 million, highlighting economic interdependence in ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, with Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon comprising35.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates India'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 India and Bhutan in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023