Despite the drop in demand post lockdown and the general resentment towards Chinese products after Ladakh incursion, China increased its share in imports into India. Imports from the dragon country came down only by 29 per cent between April and August this year compared to 48 per cent decline in overall imports.
During the lockdown months of April and May and even during the initial months of unlock, imports in general and especially those from China faced several issues. During these months, the shipments of many items got stuck at the ports, consumption was curbed and logistics remained unresolved.
Further, Chinese incursion in Ladakh evoked strong resentment among Indian consumers and calls to ban Chinese imports had become loud. Small and medium traders under Swadeshi Jagran Manch and the Confederation of All India Traders had given open calls to boycott Chinese…