India Hong Kong Trade
Hong Kong was India’s 12th largest export market destination in FY24.
Introduction
The relations between India and Hong Kong date back to the 1840s. From trading ties established in the mid-19th century (1840 onwards), the relations between the two nations today encompass sectors such as investment finance, maritime, services, shipping, logistics, culture, education, and trade.
India-Hong Kong Trade
- Hong Kong was India’s 10th largest export market destination in FY26 (till November 2025).
- Hong Kong occupies the 15th position in foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows into India with a cumulative FDI amount of US$ 4.89 billion from April 2000 to September 2025.
- Hong Kong has significantly improved its position in India’s export landscape, emerging as the 19th largest export destination in FY 2024-25 and rising sharply to the 10th position in FY26 (till November 2025). India’s exports to Hong Kong recorded a strong year-on-year growth of 20.70% during April-October 2025-26 compared with the same period in 2024-25, underscoring the growing momentum in bilateral trade.
- Hong Kong accounted for 1.72% of India’s total exports during this period, highlighting its increasing importance as a key trade partner.
Major exports from India to Hong Kong
- India’s export to Hong Kong stood at US$ 4.98 billion in FY26 (till November 2025).
- India exported 2,700 commodities to Hong Kong in FY26 (till November 2025).
- Major exported items from India to Hong Kong include natural or cultured pearls, precious or semiprecious stones and articles thereof (US$ 3.80 billion), followed by electrical machinery and equipment and parts (US$ 657.22 million), mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation (US$ 86.40 million), nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts (US$ 82.92 million), articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted (US$ 42.05 million), fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates (US$ 39.80 million), optical, photographic, medical and precision instruments and apparatus and parts (US$ 32.50 million), and meat and edible meat (US$ 31.22 million), etc. in FY26 (till November 2025).
Major imports by India from Hong Kong
- India’s imports from Hong Kong stood at US$ 17.05 billion in FY26 (till November 2025).
- India imported 3,807 commodities from Hong Kong in FY26 (till November 2025).
- Major items imported by India from Hong Kong include natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones and articles (US$ 7.39 billion), followed by electrical machinery and equipment and parts (US$ 7.03 billion), nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts (US$ 1.08 billion), optical, photographic, medical and precision instruments and apparatus and parts (US$ 296.25 million), clocks and watches and parts (US$ 157.04 million), plastic and articles (US$ 147.36 million), and iron and steel (US$ 98.26 million), etc. in FY26 (till November 2025).
Economic Relations and Investments
India’s merchandise exports to Hong Kong reached around US$ 6.07 billion in 2024-25, underscoring a diversified export basket spanning gems and jewellery, engineering goods and electronics. Exports during April-August 2025 rose sharply by 26.19% to US$ 2.62 billion, highlighting Hong Kong’s growing role as a key trade hub for India. Traditionally viewed as a gateway to China, Hong Kong is increasingly positioned as a gateway to India as well, with India-China re-export trade via Hong Kong amounting to HK$ 97.9 billion (US$ 12.59 billion) in 2024, reflecting India’s expanding footprint in global trade.
India and Hong Kong have seen considerable growth in commercial relations. Hong Kong companies also have been increasingly looking at India as an investment destination. Many Hong Kong companies have a huge presence in India. This includes China Light and Power (CLP), Li & Fung, Shangri La, Kerry Logistics and PeakRe, to name a few.
Hong Kong is host to many Indian professionals in banking, IT and shipping. Six public sector banks and two private sector banks from India are currently operating in Hong Kong.
Recent Trends and Developments
- India marked a significant milestone in its global cultural outreach with the debut of the first-ever Bharat Pavilion at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART), inaugurated by the Consul General of India in Hong Kong & Macau, H.E. Ms. Satwant Khanalia.
- The International Day of Yoga is celebrated in Hong Kong every year since its inception. The event is well-attended by the members of the Consular Corps, Indian Diaspora, expatriates and locals. In 2022, the event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which was attended by around 400 people.
- Indian and Hong Kong Customs jointly exposed a major Trade-Based Money Laundering case, revealing an international cartel. This underscores their robust bilateral relationship and commitment to combating illicit activities, as emphasized in the recent Global Conference of Cooperation in Enforcement Matters.
Conclusion
Traditionally positioned as a key medium for global access to China, Hong Kong is now well placed to assume a parallel role in facilitating entry into the Indian market. As economic linkages between India and China continue to expand, Hong Kong’s strong trade infrastructure, financial expertise, and connectivity create a unique opportunity for mainland enterprises to use the city as a strategic bridge to India, enabling it to emerge as an active partner and beneficiary in this evolving economic corridor.
Contacts
- Consulate General of India, Hong Kong
Address: 16-A, United Centre, 95, Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Officials:
Ms. Rajesh N. Naik - Consul General;
Email: cg.hongkong@mea.gov.in
Mr. K. Venkata Ramana- Consul (Consular),
Email: consular.hongkong@mea.gov.in
Contact: 3970 9900 (Chancery)
- Hong Kong Consulate, India
Xu Wei - Consul General
Address: EC-72, Sector-1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064, West Bengal, India.
Email: consulate_kkt@mfa.gov.cn(Visa & Consular)
Contact: +91-33-40045200
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