China Largest Trading Partner of India in First Half of FY27: Govt Data

New Delhi: India’s bilateral trade with China rose about 29 per cent to USD 91.76 billion in April-September this fiscal, making Beijing its largest trading partner in the first half of 2026-27, according to the Commerce Ministry data.

The two-way trade was USD 71.24 billion in April-September 2025-26.

The outbound shipments to China rose 36 per cent to USD 11.41 billion from USD 8.38 billion during April-September 2025-26, while imports grew 27.82 per cent to USD 80.34 billion during the first half of this fiscal from USD 62.86 billion during April-September 2025-26, the data showed.

The trade deficit widened to USD 68.93 billion during the period under review from USD 54.06 billion in the first half of 2025-26.

China was followed by the US.

India’s bilateral trade with the US rose 16.5 per cent to USD 83.14 billion in April-September this fiscal against USD 71.39 billion in April-September 2025-26.

The outbound shipments to the US rose 11.11 per cent to USD 50.81 billion from USD 45.73 billion during April-September 2025-26, while imports grew by 25.98 per cent to USD 32.32 billion during the first half of this fiscal from USD 25.66 billion during April-September 2025-26, the data showed.

The trade surplus has narrowed to USD 18.49 billion during the period under review from USD 20.07 billion in the first half of 2025-26.

During April-September 2026-27, the country’s exports to countries including Singapore and Tanzania jumped by 103 per cent and 122.5 per cent, respectively.

The shipments registered a decline to countries including the UAE, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia.

During the period, imports rose from countries including Oman (210.9 per cent) and Brazil (USD 143.13 per cent).

The inbound shipments registered a decline from countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.

Trade with China is important, as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on October 14 stated that India is working to rebuild its relations with China, but the last word on this journey has not yet been scripted.

On India-China trade relations, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said that the two sides are in touch with each other.

“There are discussions going on on both sides on trade issues also…constant discussions will help improve the trade ties between the two countries,” he told reporters here.

(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by HDFC Sky editorial team and is auto-generated from PTI feed.)