India’s Exports to China Surge 33% to $12.22 Billion, Signalling Structural Trade Shift

China is steadily emerging as a major export destination for India, with outbound shipments rising 33 per cent to $12.22 billion during April-November of the current fiscal, according to data released by the commerce ministry.

The sharp rise points to a structural shift in the India–China trade relationship, reversing last year’s slowdown and marking the highest export level to China in the past four years.

What’s Driving the Export Surge

The growth has been powered by a diversified export basket rather than a single sector. Key contributors include:

• Electronics such as populated printed circuit boards, whose exports jumped from $23.9 million to $922.4 million

• Marine products, including black tiger shrimp and Vannamei shrimp

• Agricultural goods like dried chillies, green gram, and oil-cake residues

• Telecom instruments, aluminium, and refined copper billets

Officials noted that the spread across electronics, agriculture, and base metals reflects a broad-based expansion, not a narrow or temporary spike.

Trade Numbers Tell the Story

• April–November 2022–23: $9.89 billion

• April–November 2023–24: $10.28 billion

• April–November 2024–25: $9.2 billion

• April–November 2025–26: $12.22 billion

This rebound underscores how Indian exporters are actively diversifying markets amid higher tariffs and competitive pressures in the US and Europe.

Why This Matters for Indian Businesses

Exporters say rising costs in Western markets are pushing Indian companies to strengthen their China strategy, especially in sectors where India enjoys cost and scale advantages. For MSMEs and export-oriented firms, maintaining accurate financial records, compliance, and cost visibility has become critical - a trend that has also increased demand for bookkeeping services in India, particularly among businesses managing multi-currency trade and cross-border transactions.

A Broader Trade Realignment

Commerce officials believe the data reflects more than short-term demand. Instead, it signals a long-term realignment in India’s export geography, with China gradually reclaiming importance as a destination for value-added Indian goods.