Dependence on a single nation for industrial goods risky: GTRI

PTI New Delhi

China accounts for around 16% of India's total imports, but its dominance is significantly higher in industrial goods, supplying as much as 30.8% of the country's requirements, think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Tuesday. The country's imports increased to $774.98 billion in 2025-26. Out of this, $131.63 billion was from China. Dependence on a single supplier for critical inputs leaves sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics and clean energy exposed to disruptions, whether geopolitical or commercial, GTRI said.

The analysis by the think tank noted that about 66% of India's imports from China, valued at $82.6 billion, are clustered in electronics, machinery, computers and organic chemicals. China accounts for 43% of India's electronics imports, 40% of machinery and computer imports and 44% of organic chemicals.

"These are not discretionary purchases but core inputs that feed directly into India's manufacturing ecosystem," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. He added that the Indian industry relies heavily on Chinese inputs such as electronics parts, EV batteries, solar modules, APIs and specialty chemicals.