While imports from these two partners increased 11.2% and 13.2% year-on-year, respectively, those from Russia, the third largest source, fell 7.4% year-on-year to $31.12 billion.
“Imports from the UAE are higher due to India’s trade pact with the country. There has been a rise in imports from China also, especially of certain components,” said an official, who did not wish to be identified.
Imports of electronics and silver during Apr-Sept rise 16.8% and 56%, respectively
India’s total goods imports in the first half of 2025-26 increased to $375.11 billion from $358.85 billion a year ago. Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery imports, an indicator of the strength of domestic demand, went up 8.2% to $243.58 billion.
India’s trade deficit with mainland China in April-September was $54.4 billion. It was $49.6 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal.
“Overall, our imports are higher than last year and we are looking into the granular data,” said another official, adding that the surge also reflected strong domestic demand and buoyant manufacturing activity, driven in part by elevated commodity prices and rising input costs.
Electronics imports increased 16.78% year-on-year, whereas those of machinery were up 13.7%. Silver imports in the April-September period surged 56% to $3.2 billion. The precious metal has a wide-ranging industrial use in high-end tech, electronics, solar panels and batteries.
Higher imports of $68.5 billion in September are attributed to gold, silver, fertiliser and electronics purchases.
The US, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore were the other major import sources in the first half of 2025-26. Inbound shipments declined from Iraq, according to official data.