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Chandigarh: In a significant step towards rebuilding economic engagement, a delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is currently visiting China, marking the first such Indian trade visit after a five-year freeze in bilateral relations.
The delegation, comprising business leaders from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, is touring Shanghai and Jiangsu province from March 29 to April 4, engaging with Chinese industry counterparts to explore trade and investment opportunities.
Visit Follows Diplomatic Thaw
The visit comes after India–China relations began normalising following high-level interactions between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping during the BRICS and SCO summits in 2024 and 2025. Bilateral ties had remained strained since the 2020 Eastern Ladakh military standoff, leading to a prolonged pause in official engagements.
Business Roundtable in Shanghai
The Consulate General of India in Shanghai hosted a Business Roundtable that brought together the Indian delegation and leading Chinese companies and financial institutions. Consul General Pratik Mathur highlighted India’s position as one of the fastest-growing major economies, driven by a young demographic and expanding market opportunities.
He pointed to key sectors for collaboration, including:
- Renewable energy
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Infrastructure and connectivity
- Information technology
Focus on Technology and Supply Chains
The visit aims to deepen business-to-business (B2B) engagement, foster technology partnerships, and explore advanced manufacturing ecosystems, particularly in Eastern China’s industrial hubs like Shanghai and Jiangsu.
Participants also discussed opportunities in:
- Clean mobility and battery innovation
- Renewable energy integration
- Industrial and innovation parks
Global Participation and Trade Outlook
The roundtable featured participation from major global firms, including HSBC, and Chinese institutions, reflecting a strong interest in expanding collaboration with Indian businesses.
Representatives from European business groups also joined the discussions, highlighting opportunities associated with the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement and the importance of resilient global supply chains.
Towards Stronger Economic Engagement
Officials said the visit is aimed at reviving commercial ties, attracting investment, and building long-term partnerships, aligned with India’s broader vision of strengthening domestic capabilities and achieving developed-economy status by 2047. The delegation’s engagements are expected to lay the groundwork for renewed economic cooperation between the two countries after years of diplomatic and trade disruptions.
