India's Envoy to China Calls for Greater Chinese Investment and Exports to Boost Bilateral Ties
India's Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami, stated on Saturday that increased Chinese investment in India would benefit both the economic aspects of the bilateral relationship and broader ties between the two countries. Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, Doraiswami also advocated for greater Indian exports to China, particularly in pharmaceuticals, where India has a global competitive edge.
“Obviously, we would like to be able to export more to China. This is nothing unreasonable about suggesting that,” Doraiswami said during a panel on protectionism and global economic governance. He highlighted India's strength in producing high-quality generic medicines for advanced markets and expressed hope that Chinese partners would work to facilitate Indian pharmaceutical exports to China. “We think there is a balance of advantage for both countries, including value for China and of course, value for the relationship,” he added.
India-China trade has expanded despite a political freeze following the 2020 border tensions. Relations have begun normalising after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2024, following disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, the trade imbalance remains significant. According to Commerce Ministry data, China was India's largest trading partner in 2025-26, with bilateral trade reaching $151.1 billion and a deficit of $112.16 billion. Doraiswami noted that trade had grown “regardless of the ups and downs of the larger political relationship” and that Indian exports to China had recently increased, indicating market opportunities.
India imports large quantities of electrical machinery, finished goods, and intermediate goods from China. Doraiswami stressed the need to expand the basket of traded goods while ensuring consumer protection mechanisms that also allow India to export more. “In other words, it would be easier to consider that the trade wouldn’t be exactly 50-50 balanced, but one side would have more exports, provided that exports consist of goods that we can also add value,” he explained.
On Chinese investments, Doraiswami noted that India's policy environment has been changed in recent months to facilitate greater Chinese investment, referencing the relaxation of restrictions imposed under Press Note 3 in early 2020. “The government of India has taken steps to reestablish opportunities for Chinese businesses to invest in the Indian market,” he said. He added that India is willing to listen to concerns and provide handholding assistance to Chinese businesses. “That, I think, is good for the economics of the relationship. It is also good for the larger country-to-country relationship,” he concluded.
