India-China Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $137.70B total volume •India deficit: $102.12B
India → China
$17.79B
Exports (2023)
China → India
$119.91B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$102.12B
Deficit for India
Total Trade
$137.70B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between India and China. 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-China commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
India → China Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
India's export portfolio to China demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
China → India Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
India's import pattern from China reveals significant dependencyin telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
India demonstrates competitive strength in exportingiron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated to China, 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: India-China Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $137.70 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: India maintains a deficit of $102.12 billion
- Export Focus: India's primary exports 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
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from China 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
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 India leveraging its comparative advantages in iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated.
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
India's specialization in iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomeratedcomplements China's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts.
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 iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated and telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
India's trade deficit of $102.12 billion impacts 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 India and China represents a total trade volume of $137.70 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for India, with imports exceeding exportsby $102.12 billion.
Export Strengths
India's exports to China total $17.79 billion, with competitive advantages in iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated, representing $2.16B or12.1% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from China amount to $119.91 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts, with Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts comprising6.8% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates India's strategic sourcing from China. 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 China in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023