Overview
- Commerce ministry data show shipments to China reached $12.22 billion in April–November 2025–26, a four-year high and a 33% rise from a year earlier.
- Growth was broad-based across electronics, agriculture, marine products and base metals, with exports of populated printed circuit boards surging from $23.9 million to $922.4 million.
- Exporters cite steep U.S. tariffs making sales less competitive in that market, prompting a push into alternative destinations including China.
- The finance ministry is working to scrap the 2020 curb requiring special registration for Chinese bidders, with a final decision pending at the Prime Minister’s Office; the rule had excluded firms from up to $700–750 billion in tenders and contributed to delays such as CRRC’s disqualification from a $216 million contract.
- The reported rollback drew criticism from the Congress party and coincided with share declines in firms like BHEL and L&T, while broader trade data showed India’s November deficit narrowing as exports rose.