Chinese tech, investments welcome, but trade opening needs caution: CII

PTI New Delhi

Chinese investments and technology are welcome in India, but the country should adopt a careful and measured approach towards opening trade with Beijing, newly appointed Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President R Mukundan said. He noted that the Indian industry should look at ways to reduce import dependence on China and manufacture goods domestically.  

"This is one area where there has been mixed views from various quarters, but I would say that investments from China are certainly welcome, technology from China is certainly welcome. But I think in terms of the open trade with China, we need to be very careful and measured in our approach," Mukundan told PTI in an interview. He made the remarks while replying to a question on whether India should consider a free trade agreement (FTA) with China.

China has overtaken the US to emerge as India's largest trading partner in 2025-26, with bilateral trade reaching $151.1 billion. India's exports to China rose 36.66% to $19.47 billion during the last fiscal year, while imports increased 16% to $131.63 billion. The trade deficit swelled to an all-time high of $112.6 billion in 2025-26 as against $99.2 billion in 2024-25.