More talks likely between India, China to address trade concerns, imbalance, supply chain: Trade Secy

New Delhi: India and China are exploring measures to narrow the trade gap and make cross-border commerce more balanced, and further talks are likely as both sides seek to address trade concerns and supply-chain issues, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said Tuesday.

He said the two are working to address concerns over bilateral trade, including the structural imbalance and supply-chain challenges, as the they seek to build on discussions held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

The discussions come as India seeks to increase its exports to China while reducing its dependence on imports from the country.


China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal Sunday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit last week.

The secretary said these are initial discussions where leaders have guided on working on the trade space and build trust on both sides.

“Both sides are working to address trade concerns,” the Agrawal said, adding that structural issues surrounding the trade deficit and supply chains were being examined and

the two sides would continue meeting to work through the issues affecting trade.

New Delhi has been seeking greater market access for its products in China as it looks to diversify and strengthen its export base.

India’s exports to China rose 39% on-year to $9.61 billion in April-August FY27.

Outbound shipments to China of engineering goods rose 20%, electronics 15%, petroleum products 13.55% and chemicals 10.5%.

However, the trade deficit with China was around $56 billion during April-August.

Agrawal said bilateral relations between India and China have improved over the past year on connectivity and people-to-people ties, with trade engagement also being pursued gradually to address structural trade imbalances and supply-chain issues.