International Trade – NDA Geography Notes

International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. A country exports goods it produces in surplus and imports goods it needs but cannot produce sufficiently. India’s trade has grown enormously since the 1991 economic reforms. NDA tests this chapter lightly, mainly through port-related questions and a few facts about India’s major exports and imports.

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India’s Major Exports

• India exports a wide range of goods. The major export categories are:
• Engineering goods: India’s largest export category by value.
• Petroleum products: refined oil from India’s refineries exported to other countries.
• Gems and jewellery: India is the world’s largest diamond polishing centre.
• Chemicals and pharmaceuticals: India is a major global pharmaceutical exporter. Textiles and garments: a traditional export strength.
• Iron ore: exported from Odisha, Goa, and Karnataka through Paradeep and Mormugao ports.
• Tea, coffee, and spices: India’s traditional agricultural exports.
• Software and IT services: India’s largest service export category.

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India’s Major Imports

India’s major imports are:

• Crude petroleum: India imports about 80% of its oil needs, making it one of the world’s largest oil importers.
• Capital goods: machinery and equipment for industry.
• Electronics: consumer and industrial electronics.
• Gold and silver: India is one of the world’s largest gold consumers.
• Fertilisers and chemicals: for agriculture and industry.

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Important Trade Facts

95% of India’s trade by volume is through maritime (sea) transport. India’s long coastline of 7,516 km and numerous major ports make sea the dominant trade mode. Air transport handles high-value but low-volume cargo.

Mormugao Port (Goa) handles iron ore exports to Japan.

Paradeep Port (Odisha) is a major iron ore export port, serving the mines of Odisha and Jharkhand. [NDA 2008-I]

JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Nhava Sheva, Maharashtra) = India’s largest container port, handling most of India’s containerised cargo.

Kandla (Deendayal Port, Gujarat) = major import/export hub for northwest India; a tidal port on the Gulf of Kutch.

Port	State	Key Trade Role
Mormugao	Goa	Iron ore exports to Japan
Paradeep	Odisha	Iron ore exports [NDA 2008-I]
JNPT (Nhava Sheva)	Maharashtra	India’s largest container port
Kandla (Deendayal)	Gujarat	NW India import/export hub; tidal port
Mumbai	Maharashtra	Largest and busiest port overall

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