India's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Doraiswami, held talks with Wang Liping, Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce of China, on June 23 in New Delhi, according to a post on X by the Indian Embassy in China. The discussions focused on various aspects of trade and commercial cooperation, including bilateral dialogue mechanisms, and ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to remain in touch, the post said.
Bilateral Trade Figures
The meeting occurs against the backdrop of significant trade flows between the two countries. According to Indian Commerce Ministry data, bilateral trade reached USD 151.1 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26. India's exports to China rose 36.66 percent to USD 19.47 billion during the last fiscal year, while imports increased 16 percent to USD 131.63 billion.
Trade Deficit Widens
The trade deficit swelled to an all-time high of USD 112.6 billion in 2025-26, compared to USD 99.2 billion in 2024-25. This widening deficit highlights the persistent imbalance in trade between the two nations.
| Metric | FY2025-26 | FY2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Exports to China | USD 19.47 billion (up 36.66%) | — |
| Imports from China | USD 131.63 billion (up 16%) | — |
| Trade Deficit | USD 112.6 billion | USD 99.2 billion |
Sectors of Interest
India has been demanding that China open its IT, pharma, and agricultural sectors, which are India's strong areas, over the years. The meeting is expected to step up India-China dialogue on issues relating to trade and commerce, as both countries are currently in the process of normalising relations post the Eastern Ladakh conflict in 2020, which had frozen their ties.
The exchange between Ambassador Doraiswami and Wang Liping represents a continued engagement at the diplomatic level to address trade concerns and explore areas of mutual benefit. The Indian Embassy's post on X confirmed that they exchanged views on various aspects of trade and commercial cooperation and agreed to remain in touch. Further discussions are anticipated as both sides work towards reducing the trade deficit and enhancing market access for Indian goods and services.
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