'India has trade surplus with 151 nations, deficit with 75 in H1 2024

The biggest surpluses were with the USA ($21 billion) and the Netherlands ($11.6 billion) during January-June this year

NEW DELHI: India has recorded trade surplus with as many as 151 countries such as the US and Netherlands, while the country has a trade deficit with 75 nations including China and Russia during the first half of this year, according to think tank GTRI.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India does not need to worry about the trade deficit from importing crude oil and coal, however, it must focus on reducing the industrial goods imports, especially from countries like China, as these threaten India's economic sovereignty.

"Between January and June 2024, India had a trade surplus with 151 countries, representing 55.8 per cent of its exports and 16.5 per cent of its imports, totalling $72.1 billion," GTRI said in a report.

The biggest surpluses were with the USA ($21 billion) and the Netherlands ($11.6 billion) during January-June this year.

"India had a trade deficit with 75 countries, which accounted for 44.2 per cent of its exports and 83.5 per cent of its imports, resulting in a $185.4 billion deficit, much larger than India's overall trade deficit," it said, adding this situation highlights the need to reduce reliance on specific imports and strengthen domestic production.