India's Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami,pushed for more Chinese investment in India during the World Peace Forum in Beijing Saturday. He said this would boost economic ties and strengthen broader relations.
Doraiswami wants to ramp up Indian exports to China,especially in pharma, where India excels. "We would like to export more to China. Nothing unreasonable about that," he said. India is a major pharma exporter to advanced markets. He hopes Chinese partners will work with Indian firms to get high-quality generics into China .
Even with political tensions since 2020,trade between India and China grows. In fiscal year 2025-26, trade hit $151.1 billion. China stays India's top trading partner. But trade balance skews heavily,with a $112.16 billion deficit . Doraiswami noted trade rose "regardless of the ups and downs of the larger political relationship."
He noted a recent rise in Indian exports to China,hinting at market opportunities. "We need to find ways of making it easier," he said,stressing diverse goods exchange . India imports lots of electrical machinery,finished goods from China,plus various intermediates.
"How do we connect with a widening basket of goods?" he asked. Perfectly balanced trade is unrealistic,he said,but exports should add value. Purely consumable goods complicate deficit efforts.
On Chinese investments,Doraiswami mentioned recent policy changes easing Chinese investment in India. After easing 2020 restrictions, India is more open to Chinese business. "We are willing to help make investment happen," he said, stressing need for support to encourage Chinese firms.
As India and China relations ease, Doraiswami said India wants to reopen opportunities for Chinese businesses. "We would like that connection to be better," he said, noting the global significance of Chinese inputs in manufacturing .
He ended by emphasizing benefits of a diversified trade basket with value-added goods. This would aid production for both domestic and export markets. A sustainable, mutually beneficial trade relationship…
