Lok Sabha Question No. 2164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Trade with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2164(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 st  JANUARY,2018

## TRADE WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

## 2164(H). SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा ͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the main features of Indian trade with neighbouring countries;
- (b) the details of India's trade relations with these countries during the last three years;
- (c) the details of the possibility of strengthening India's trade relations with neighbouring countries; and
- (d) the details of the measures to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) On  account  of  various  factors,  including  its  geographical  size  and  population, diversified  and  mature  economy,  size  of  Gross  Domestic  Product  (GDP)etc, India  occupies  a  pre-eminent  position  in  its  trade  with  the  South  Asia  region. India  has  accepted  asymmetrical responsibilities andprovided  duty free access to  almost  all  the  products  (except  a  few  products  pertaining  to  alcohol  and tobacco)  from  Least  Developed  Countries,  under  Agreement  on  South  Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
- (b) The value  of India's trade  (exports and  imports) with the  neighbouring/SAARC countries  from 2014-15 to 2016-2017 and for the current year i.e. 2017-18, as available upto October, 2017, is given below:

|                 |           |           |           |          |           |          | Values in US $ Million                  | Values in US $ Million                  |
|-----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|----------|-----------|----------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Country         | 2014-2015 | 2014-2015 | 2015-16   | 2015-16  | 2016-17   | 2016-17  | 2017-2018 (April-October) (Provisional) | 2017-2018 (April-October) (Provisional) |
|                 | Exports   | Imports   | Exports   | Imports  | Exports   | Imports  | Exports                                 | Imports                                 |
| South Asia      |           |           |           |          |           |          |                                         |                                         |
| Afghanistan TIS | 422.56    | 261.91    | 526.60    | 307.90   | 506.34    | 292.90   | 397.43                                  | 235.31                                  |
| Bangladesh PR   | 6,451.48  | 621.37    | 6,034.94  | 727.15   | 6,820.13  | 701.68   | 4,206.70                                | 319.67                                  |
| Bhutan          | 333.94    | 149.87    | 468.95    | 281.27   | 509.28    | 307.82   | 260.58                                  | 201.07                                  |
| Maldives        | 152.38    | 4.32      | 179.04    | 4.29     | 197.79    | 9.17     | 113.60                                  | 3.45                                    |
| Nepal           | 4,558.77  | 639.91    | 3,930.09  | 470.59   | 5,453.59  | 445.13   | 3,305.98                                | 233.24                                  |
| Pakistan IR     | 1,857.29  | 497.31    | 2,171.16  | 441.03   | 1,821.88  | 454.49   | 850.08                                  | 298.70                                  |
| Sri Lanka DSR   | 6,703.72  | 756.17    | 5,309.53  | 742.79   | 3,913.15  | 602.20   | 2,413.28                                | 407.32                                  |
| Total           | 20,480.14 | 2,930.85  | 18,620.32 | 2,975.01 | 19,222.18 | 2,813.40 | 11,547.64                               | 1,698.76                                |

(c) and(d):  For  increasing  intra-regional  trade  in  South  Asia,  the  Government  has taken  various  steps  to  improve  the  trade  infrastructure  with  neighbouring  / SAARC  countries  which,  inter-alia, include  upgradation  of  Land  Customs Stations,  establishment  of  Integrated  Check  Posts/Border  Haats,  facilitation  of bilateral  and  sub-regional connectivity,  etc.  Trade liberalisation  is  being  carried out under SAFTA by India/ other SAARC countries to encourage greater trade. The  Government  continues  to  engage  pro-actively  with  SAARC  countries  to strengthen trade and economic relations. Bilateral and multilateral trade discussions, held with these countries from time to time, also explore mechanisms  for  enhancement  of  trade.Further,  assistance  is  provided  under Market  Access  Initiative(MAI)  to  Indian  exporters,  Export  Promotion  Councils, apex trade bodies etc., for participation in events in foreign countries, including countries in neighbourhood.

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