India’s trade i.e. import and export patterns have evolved remarkably for the time duration of a decade compared to a decade ago which indicates international market shifts, home supply changes, and a policy alteration. The examination of imports and exports data from the subdivision of 2015 into the year 2025 helps India locate measures and diagrams that stress the values of the economy the country possesses and the trading it does on a global level.
An Overall Look at Indian Import and Export
Imports
The total imports of India have exhibited gradual growth from rupees 372 billion in the years 2015 to 2016, to two billion in 2022, and lastly to 715 billion in 2023 to 2024 but in the years 2024 to 2025 the country reported 678 billion. Moreover, in the data for 2024-2025, the trimester of October demonstrates the basis point suggesting the high dominance of 416 billion. In the last decade, the cumulative span of imports amounts to 5 trillion rupees which is an impressive value.
Exports
The total exports of India have shown a steady growth meaning increasing but still slower than how much they have been importing. The exports experienced growth from 306 billion rupees in 2015 to 448 rupees in the year 2023, and during that time the cumulative overall amount rose to 3.37 trillion. In the current state of time, the narrowing trade deficit within the previous year highlights the measures put into place which aimed towards an increase in exports while cutting back on imports.
Total Trade Trends (2015–2024): A line chart showing the trends in import and export, along with the trade deficit.
Top Partners – Import
The people of India have maintained important trading relationships with various countries. Among these are China, Russia, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia as their top five import partners.
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- The largest trade partner for India is China, and with Lei Feng China’s typical trader in mind, goods worth a staggering 760 billion rupees have been imported into the country. China has been the originating country for PCs, digital integrated circuits, and fertilizers imported from India as well.
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- Russia has become considerably renowned for diamond and crude petroleum imports into India over the past few years, accumulating an amount of 193 billion rupees.
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- The United Arab Emirates aims to strengthen its role in the Indian market, and this is amply demonstrated by the 334 billion rupees of Indian imports it accounted for. The two most significant imports from the UAE into India were gold and petroleum.
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- India imports a variety of goods from the US including coal and diamonds. The total expenditure stood at an impressive 333 billion rupees.
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- The key import items from Saudi Arabia into India were crude oil with a total expenditure standing at 257 billion rupees.
Key Import Partners: A bar chart highlighting the major import partners and their respective contributions.
India’s Export Markets: Focus on USA, UAE, and Europe
United States of America
For the last decade, exports to the USA have been the biggest market for India, aggregating around $609 billion. Diamonds, pharmaceutical products, and petroleum oils are the major contributors to this robust trade relationship.
United Arab Emirates
UAE stands second after the USA with gold jewellery and diamonds being the noticeable foci, with an aggregate of around $314 billion.
Netherlands
With a common cumulative sending out of $117 billion, the Netherlands has begun as a credible source of trading, particularly on automotive diesel fuel and aviation turbine fuel.
United Kingdom and China
One considers the UK and China to make up the last of the five most lucrative export markets, with approximately $106 billion and $160 billion, respectively. In the case of China, the exports have been dominated by diamonds and chemical substances.
Key Export Markets: A horizontal bar chart displaying India’s top export destinations and their trade values.
Sectoral Analysis: Key Products Driving Trade
Import
Energy Products: Russia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are the main contributors when it comes to crude oil imports.
Electronics: China has been exporting personal computers and communication devices which has led to a sharp increase in imported goods.
Precious Stones and Metals: Among the most heavily imported items are diamonds and gold, which are strikingly familiar to global importers.
Sectoral Analysis: Two pie charts showing the distribution of key sectors in import and export
Export
Gems and Jewellery: In terms of trade, gold and diamond jewellery remain India’s most important facets, especially in sales to the USA and UAE.
Pharmaceuticals: Exports to the USA and Europe have increased due to the rising worldwide demand for Indian pharmaceutical goods.
Refined Fuels: Automotive diesel fuel and aviation turbine fuels have become invaluable in export commodities, especially in European countries.
Emerging Trends and Insights
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- Change in Energy Relations: The Indian shift to increase the import of crude oil and coal from Russia can also be deemed as a part of India’s energy diversification strategy in light of the evolving geopolitical reality.
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- Surge in Digital and Tech Goods: The increase in the import of digital integrated circuits and smartphones from China shows that there is a growing demand for technology and electronics in India.
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- Pharma Development: The burgeoning exports to the USA buttress that the Indian pharmaceutical industry is well set for growth.
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- Strategic Partnerships: The exchange of trade with UAE and Netherlands underscores the effort of one more India to enhance its energy and industrial centres.
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- Trade Deficit Handling Strategies: The boosted exports of refined fuels, gems & jewellery as well as other goods helped to narrow the trade deficit for India.
Conclusion
India’s trade over the last decade shows its increasing integration with the global market with a strategic focus on critical areas such as energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals. Although there are challenges, including trade deficits, India’s shifting exports and imports are a testament to its strength in a constantly changing global economy. Liberty Exports can be your trusted partner for Indian trade, ensuring reliability and quality in sourcing goods. Indeed, with the help of such trends, India is in a very successful position to increase its share in global trade and promote economic development.
