Key Points
Key Points: Changing Pattern of India’s Exports and Imports
- Exports Pattern Change: Share of agriculture and traditional items has declined, while crude petroleum products and manufactured goods have increased.
- Manufactured Goods Important: Manufacturing sector contributes about 67.8% (2021–22) of total exports. Engineering goods and gems & jewellery are major export items.
- Imports Pattern Change: Earlier India imported foodgrains, but after the Green Revolution, imports shifted mainly to petroleum, fertilisers, machinery and capital goods.
- Petroleum Imports Rising: Import of petroleum products has increased due to industrial growth, higher living standards and rise in international prices.
- Direction of Trade: India trades with most countries of the world. Most foreign trade is carried through sea and air routes, while some trade is done through land routes with neighbouring countries.
Key Points: Sea Ports as Gateways of International Trade
- India has a long coastline, so sea transport is cheap and important for trade.
- India has 12 major ports and 200 minor ports.
- Major ports are controlled by Central Government, minor ports by State Government.
- After Partition, India lost Karachi and Chittagong, so ports like Kandla developed.
- Cargo handling increased from 20 million tonnes (1951) to 837 million tonnes (2016).
- Important ports: Mumbai, JNPT, Kandla, Kochchi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradwip.
- Air transport is fastest but costly, used mainly for high-value and perishable goods.
