Breaking the road to a self-reliant India! Trade deficit with China widens, learn what's happening.

India's imports saw a surge in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26, April-September. Compared to the previous year, India imported $16.26 billion more goods this quarter.

India Import Data 2025: India's imports saw a surge in the second quarter of the financial year 2025-26, April-September. India imported goods worth $16.26 billion more this quarter compared to the previous year. Last year, the country's imports during this period were $358.85 billion, which has increased to $375.11 billion in 2025. The pace of manufacturing in the country and domestic demand have contributed to this increase.

 

Additionally, imports of electronics and machinery have surged. This import has widened India's trade deficit with China. On the one hand, India is making new efforts to become self-reliant. On the other hand, the increase in imports from China does not bode well for the country. Although China is one of the world's largest importers, it continues to oppose India on various platforms. 

Which items are imported in large quantities?

India's highest imports this quarter were electronics, machinery, and silver products. Electronics imports saw a 16.78 percent increase, while machinery imports saw a 13.7 percent increase. Demand for silver is growing rapidly worldwide. Due to silver's unique properties, its demand in industry is also increasing. Silver is used in electronics, solar panels, and batteries. Consequently, silver demand is also high in India, with a 56 percent increase in imports. India imported silver worth $3.2 billion. 

China became the largest exporter

India's largest imports came from China in the first half of the financial year 2025-26. India imported goods worth approximately $62.89 billion from China. According to the data, this represents an increase of 11.2 percent compared to the previous year. India's imports from the UAE came in second, with $33.03 billion worth of goods. Russia remained the country's third-largest source of imports. However, imports from Russia declined by 7.4 percent. India imported goods worth $31.12 billion from Russia.  

 

Increase in trade deficit

China's rise to become the largest importer has led to a widening of the trade deficit between India and China, reaching $54.4 billion. Last year, during this period, the figure was $49.6 billion. This means there is a significant gap between the goods and services exported and the goods and services imported. When a country's exports are less than its imports, it is called a trade deficit.