OLED Displays, Aluminum, and Shrimp Drive Growth as Bilateral Trade Touches ₹74,000 Crore in Six Months
New Delhi | (Economy India): India has sharply increased its exports to China following the United States’ imposition of 50% tariffs on select Indian goods. During the first half of FY2025-26 (April–September), exports to China grew 22% year-on-year, reaching $8.41 billion (₹74,000 crore) compared to $6.9 billion (₹60,000 crore) in the same period last year.
According to data reviewed by Economy India, the surge was primarily driven by petroleum products, aluminum, frozen shrimp, and telephone component exports. The most notable milestone was India’s first-ever shipment of OLED flat-panel display modules to China — a move seen as a breakthrough in India’s emerging electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
🔹 Key Growth Drivers: Sectoral Highlights
- Petroleum Products: Exports jumped 116%, from $686 million (₹6,000 crore) to $1.48 billion (₹13,000 crore).
- Telephone Set Parts: Up 162%, rising from $178 million (₹1,565 crore) to $467 million (₹4,100 crore).
- Frozen Shrimps and Prawns: Increased 25%, reaching $467 million (₹4,100 crore).
- Aluminum: Up 59%, totaling $191 million (₹1,680 crore).
- Sulphur: Exports surged 175%, touching $116 million (₹1,000 crore).
- OLED Flat Panel Displays: From zero last year to $246 million (₹2,100 crore) this year — a first for India.
🗣️ Expert View: “Too Early to Call It a Structural Shift”
Ajay Sahai, CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said the growth demonstrates “India’s export competitiveness, especially in shrimp, aluminum, and telecom components.”
However, he cautioned that “it’s premature to call this a structural shift.” Sahai added that while diversification away from traditional Western markets is a good sign, “India must deepen its presence in emerging regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America while retaining high-value trade links with the US and EU.”
⚙️ Background: US Tariffs and Global Trade Realignment
The United States imposed 50% tariffs on select imports from India starting August 27, 2025. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), this tariff hike could affect $65 billion (₹5.4 lakh crore) worth of Indian exports.
In response, Indian exporters have shifted focus to alternative markets, with China emerging as a significant compensatory destination. The current trends, analysts say, may reflect a short-term adjustment rather than a permanent trade realignment — unless sustained by new trade agreements and technology-driven exports.
📊 Economy India Financial Insight Box
| Indicator | April–Sept 2024 | April–Sept 2025 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Exports to China | $6.9 billion | $8.41 billion | +22% |
| Petroleum Products | $686 million | $1.48 billion | +116% |
| Telephone Parts | $178 million | $467 million | +162% |
| Frozen Shrimps | $373 million | $467 million | +25% |
| Aluminum | $120 million | $191 million | +59% |
| OLED Displays | $0 | $246 million | — |
