Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.After the United States imposed a 50% tariff on several imported goods, India has sharply increased its exports to China. In the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, India’s exports to China grew by 22% compared to the same period last year. Between April and September 2025, India sold goods worth 8.41 billion dollars (around Rs 74,000 crore) to China, up from 6.90 billion dollars (about Rs 60,000 crore) in the corresponding period of 2024. The rise has been driven mainly by higher shipments of telephone set parts, frozen shrimp, aluminum, and petroleum products.
Petroleum products and phone parts lead growth
Exports of petroleum products to China have seen a sharp jump of 116%, rising from 686 million dollars (around Rs 6,000 crore) to 1.48 billion dollars (about Rs 13,000 crore) between April and September. Similarly, exports of telephone set components have grown 162%, reaching 467 million dollars (around Rs 4,100 crore) from 178 million dollars (nearly Rs 1,565 crore) a year earlier. These two segments alone have accounted for a major share of the overall export growth to China.
Seafood and metal exports also see strong rise
Exports of frozen shrimp and prawns have increased by 25%, moving up from 373 million dollars (about Rs 3,200 crore) to 467 million dollars (roughly Rs 4,100 crore). Aluminum exports have grown 59%, now standing at 191 million dollars (around Rs 1,680 crore). Shipments of Sulphur have seen one of the biggest jumps—up 175% to 116 million dollars (nearly Rs 1,000 crore). The overall export performance reflects India’s improving competitiveness in several industrial and marine product categories.
First-ever export of OLED display modules
A new addition to India’s export basket this year is OLED flat panel display modules. These items had zero exports last year but have now reached 246 million dollars (around Rs 2,100 crore) in the first six months of 2025-26. This is the first time India has exported display modules to China, marking an important milestone in the electronics manufacturing sector.
Experts caution against calling it a structural shift
Ajay Sahai, CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), said that the 22% rise in exports shows India’s growing competitiveness, especially in segments like shrimp, aluminum, and telephone parts. However, he cautioned that it is too early to call this a structural shift in India’s trade pattern. He added that while diversifying away from traditional markets such as the US is a positive sign, India still needs to deepen its presence in emerging markets like Asia, Africa, and Latin America. At the same time, maintaining high-value trade with the US and the European Union will remain crucial.
US tariffs expected to affect India’s export share
The United States had imposed a 50% tariff on several imported items from India starting August 27, 2025. According to estimates by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), these tariffs could affect around Rs 5.4 lakh crore worth of Indian exports to the US. The increase in shipments to China is seen as a partial offset to the potential impact of reduced access to the American market.
Summary points
1. India’s exports to China rose 22% in April–September 2025.
2. Total exports reached 8.41 billion dollars (Rs 74,000 crore).
3. Petroleum product exports grew 116% year-on-year.
4. Phone part exports jumped 162% to Rs 4,100 crore.
5. Shrimp, aluminum, and Sulphur exports also saw sharp gains.
6. India exported OLED display modules for the first time.
7. Experts say this rise signals competitiveness but not yet a structural shift.
