Summary
Foreign trade in India includes all imports and exports to and from India. At the level of Central Government it is administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.[1] Foreign trade accounted for 48.8% of India's GDP in 2018.[2]
HistoryEdit
Even before independence, the Government of India maintained semi-autonomous diplomatic relations. It had colonies (such as the Aden Settlement), who sent and received full missions,[3] and was a founder member of both the League of Nations[4] and the United Nations.[5] After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, it soon joined the Commonwealth of Nations and strongly supported independence movements in other colonies, like the Indonesian National Revolution.[6] The partition and various territorial disputes, particularly that over Kashmir, would strain its relations with Pakistan for years to come. During the Cold War, India adopted a foreign policy of non-alignment policy itself with any major power bloc. However, India developed close ties with the Soviet Union and received extensive military support from it.
Around 100CEEdit
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is a document written by an anonymous sailor from Alexandria about 100CE describing trade between countries, including India.
Around 1500Edit
In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut (modern day Kozhikode in Kerala) as the first European to ever sail to India. The tremendous profit made during this trip made the Portuguese eager for more trade with India and attracted other European navigators and tradesmen.[7]
Pedro Álvares Cabral left for India in 1500 and established Portuguese trading posts at Calicut and Cochin (modern day Kochi), returning to Portugal in 1501 with pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. The profits made from this trip were huge.[8]
1991 economic reformEdit
Prior to the 1991 economic liberalisation, India was a closed economy due to the average tariffs exceeding 200 percent and the extensive quantitative restrictions on imports. Foreign investment was strictly restricted to only allow Indian ownership of businesses. Since the liberalisation, India's economy has improved mainly due to increased foreign trade.[9]
Trade in servicesEdit
India was the eighth largest exporter of commercial services in the world in 2016, accounting for 3.4% of global trade in services. India recorded a 5.7% growth in services trade in 2016–17.[10]
Exports and importsEdit
India exports approximately 7500 commodities to about 190 countries, and imports around 6000 commodities from 140 countries.[11]
Trade statisticsEdit
Summary table of recent India foreign trade (in billion $):[12][13][14]
| Year | Export | Import | Trade Deficit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 36.3 | 50.2 | -13.9 |
| 2000 | 43.1 | 60.8 | -17.7 |
| 2001 | 42.5 | 54.5 | -12.0 |
| 2002 | 44.5 | 53.8 | -9.3 |
| 2003 | 48.3 | 61.6 | -13.3 |
| 2004 | 57.24 | 74.15 | -16.91 |
| 2005 | 69.18 | 89.33 | -20.15 |
| 2006 | 76.23 | 113.1 | -36.87 |
| 2007 | 112.0 | 100.9 | 11.1 |
| 2008 | 176.4 | 305.5 | -129.1 |
| 2009 | 168.2 | 274.3 | -106.1 |
| 2010 | 201.1 | 327.0 | -125.9 |
| 2011 | 299.4 | 461.4 | -162.0 |
| 2012 | 298.4 | 500.4 | -202.0 |
| 2013 | 313.2 | 467.5 | -154.3 |
| 2014 | 318.2 | 462.9 | -144.7 |
| 2015[15] | 310.3 | 447.9 | -137.6 |
| 2016 | 262.3 | 381 | -118.7 |
| 2017 | 275.8 | 384.3 | -108.5 |
| 2018 | 303.52 | 465.58 | -162.05 |
| 2019 | 330.07 | 514.07 | -184 |
| 2020 | 314.31 | 467.19 | -158.88 |
| 2021 | 420 | 612 | -192 |
The top 10 commodity exports in 2007 were as follows:
| Rank | Commodity | HS Code | Value (US$ billion) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refined Petroleum | 27 | 61.2 | 19.2 |
| 2 | Gems, precious metals, coins | 71 | 41.2 | 13 |
| 3 | Vehicles | 87 | 14.5 | 4.6 |
| 4 | Machines, engines, pumps | 85 | 13.6 | 4.3 |
| 5 | Organic chemicals | 29 | 12.1 | 3.8 |
| 6 | Pharmaceuticals | 30 | 11.7 | 3.7 |
| 7 | Cereals | 10 | 10.1 | 3.2 |
| 8 | Iron and steel | 72 | 9.1 | 2.9 |
| 9 | Clothing (not knit or crochet) | 58 | 9.1 | 2.9 |
| 10 | Electronics | 85 | 9.1 | 2.8 |
The top 10 commodity imports in 2007 were as follows:
| Rank | Commodity | HS Code | Value (US$ billion) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil | 27 | 177.5 | 38.3 |
| 2 | Gems, precious metals, coins | 71 | 60 | 13 |
| 3 | Electronics | 85 | 32 | 6.9 |
| 4 | Machines, engines, pumps | 85 | 31.2 | 6.7 |
| 5 | Organic chemicals | 29 | 18.3 | 4 |
| 6 | Plastics | 39 | 11.8 | 2.6 |
| 7 | Iron and steel | 72 | 11.4 | 2.5 |
| 8 | Animal/vegetable fats and oils | 15 | 10.7 | 2.3 |
| 9 | Ores, slag and ash | 26 | 7.4 | 1.6 |
| 10 | Medical and technical equipment | 90 | 7.1 | 1.5 |
Trading partners of IndiaEdit
India's largest trading partners in order of value of total trade are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Germany, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. India is biggest exporter of pharmaceuticals, some food products and is a mixed economy.
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ "Country comparison: Exports". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Human Development Report 2018" (PDF). narendhar. Retrieved 21 March 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ High Commission of India in Australia: India Australia Relations Archived 13 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Hcindia-au.org (20 April 2011). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ First Assembly, Geneva, 15 November – 18 December 1920. Indiana.edu (18 December 1920). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ UN list of members by admission Archived 12 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Un.org. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ John, K. C.; Kevin, S (2004). Traditional Exports of India: Performance and Prospects. Delhi: New Century Publications. p. 59. ISBN 81-7708-062-8.
- ^ John, K. C.; Kevin, S (2004). Traditional Exports of India: Performance and Prospects. Delhi: New Century Publications. p. 59. ISBN 81-7708-062-8.
- ^ "International Economics & Trade - India: Foreign Trade Policy". worldbank.org. 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ^ Chakraborty, Subhayan (29 January 2018). "Only 5 states account for 70% of exports, Economic Survey shows". Business Standard India. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ Macroeconomics and Elementary Statistics. ISBN 9788187140900.
- ^ "India - Imports - Historical Data Graphs per Year". Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ "The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ "Export Import Data". www.eximatlasindia.com. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ "Total Trade". commerce.nic.in. Department of Commerce. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
External linksEdit
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade
- Major Problems Hindering Indias Export Growth
- India Exports and Imports