New Delhi - India’s merchandise imports from China rose to a record $79.41 billion (nearly $80 billion) during the first half of 2026, registering a 21.8% year-on-year increase, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on Chinese machinery, electronics, and industrial inputs despite ongoing efforts to diversify supply chains.

At the same time, India’s exports to China recorded a strong recovery, increasing by 37% during the January-June 2026 period. However, the sharp rise in imports continues to keep the bilateral trade imbalance heavily tilted in China’s favour.

Industry experts . . .