Sri Lanka-India Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $4.59B total volume •Sri Lanka deficit: $2.67B
Sri Lanka → India
$964.07M
Exports (2023)
India → Sri Lanka
$3.63B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$2.67B
Deficit for Sri Lanka
Total Trade
$4.59B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Sri Lanka and India. Green line shows exports from Sri Lanka, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Sri Lanka-India commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Sri Lanka → India Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Sri Lanka's export portfolio to India demonstrates strategic specialization, with aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
India → Sri Lanka Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Sri Lanka's import pattern from India reveals significant dependencyin sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Sri Lanka demonstrates competitive strength in exportingaeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg to India, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $4.59B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Sri Lanka-India Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $4.59 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Sri Lanka maintains a deficit of $2.67 billion
- Export Focus: Sri Lanka's primary exports include aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding, spices: pepper (of the genus piper), neither crushed nor ground
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from India include sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, 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, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 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 $4.59B 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 Sri Lanka leveraging its comparative advantages in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg.
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
Sri Lanka's specialization in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgcomplements India's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $4.59B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $4.59B 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 $4.59 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg and sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Sri Lanka's trade deficit of $2.67 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 Sri Lanka and India represents a total trade volume of $4.59 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Sri Lanka, with imports exceeding exportsby $2.67 billion.
Export Strengths
Sri Lanka's exports to India total $964.07 million, with competitive advantages in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, representing $96.60M or10.0% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from India amount to $3.63 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter, with Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter comprising8.5% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Sri Lanka's strategic sourcing from India. 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 Sri Lanka and India in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023