India Hong Kong Trade
Hong Kong rose to India's 10th-largest export market in FY26, with exports reaching US$ 8.08 billion, up 33.22% year-on-year.
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 relationship has evolved into a strong India Hong Kong economic partnership encompassing investment, finance, maritime services, shipping, logistics, education, culture and India Hong Kong trade. Today, India exports to Hong Kong and Hong Kong imports from India span a diverse range of products, reinforcing India Hong Kong trade relations and strengthening bilateral trade between India and Hong Kong.
India-Hong Kong Trade
- Hong Kong was India’s 10th largest export market destination in FY26.
- Hong Kong occupies the 15th position in foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows into India with a cumulative FDI amount of Rs. 31,220.30 crore (US$ 4.91 billion) from April 2000 to March 2026.
- 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. India’s exports to Hong Kong recorded a strong year-on-year growth of 33.22% during April- March 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$ 8.081 billion in FY26.
- India exported 3,055 commodities to Hong Kong in FY26.
- Major exported items from India to Hong Kong include Gems and Jewellery (US$ 6.12 billion), followed by Electronic Goods (US$ 1.20 billion), Engineering Goods (US$ 207.71 million), Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of All Textiles (US$ 88.33 million), Petroleum Products (US$ 86.62 million), Marine Products (US$ 57.31 million), Meat, Dairy and Poultry Products (US$ 49.47 million), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (US$ 47.08 million), and Leather and Leather Manufactures (US$ 45.99 million) in FY26.
Major imports by India from Hong Kong
- India’s imports from Hong Kong stood at US$ 24.34 billion in FY26.
- India imported 4,176 commodities from Hong Kong in FY26.
- Major items imported by India from Hong Kong include Electronic Goods (US$ 11.22 billion), followed by Pearls, Precious and Semi-Precious Stones (US$ 3.76 billion), Silver (US$ 3.24 billion), Gold (US$ 2.84 billion), Machinery, Electrical and Non-Electrical (US$ 1.10 billion), Professional Instruments, Optical Goods, etc. (US$ 338.02 million), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, etc. (US$ 225.00 million), and Transport Equipment (US$ 219.93 million) in FY26.
Economic Relations and Investments
In FY26, India approved 13 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals from Hong Kong worth Rs. 610.42 crore (US$ 63.26 million), compared with only one proposal from China valued at Rs. 1 crore (US$ 0.10 million). The approvals reflect sustained investor confidence in the India Hong Kong economic partnership and reinforce the growing investment dimension of bilateral trade between India and Hong Kong.
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
- In January 2026, Hong Kong emerged as a key destination for India exports to Hong Kong, with shipments of high-value products such as gems and jewellery, electronics and processed stones rising by US$ 955 million year-on-year to US$ 4.97 billion during April–November FY26. The growth reflects increasing demand for value-added products, reinforces India Hong Kong trade relations, and highlights Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway to Asian markets, creating new trade opportunities between India and Hong Kong.
- 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 gateway to China, Hong Kong is increasingly emerging as an important partner in the India Hong Kong economic partnership. Growing India Hong Kong trade, rising India exports to Hong Kong, and expanding Hong Kong imports from India continue to strengthen bilateral trade between India and Hong Kong. With its world-class financial ecosystem, logistics infrastructure and strategic location, Hong Kong is well placed to facilitate greater commercial engagement and create new trade opportunities between India and Hong Kong, supporting long-term economic growth and regional connectivity.
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
FAQs
India exports to Hong Kong are led by Gems and Jewellery (US$ 6.12 billion), followed by Electronic Goods, Engineering Goods, Ready-Made Garments, Petroleum Products and Marine Products in FY26.
India Hong Kong trade has strengthened significantly, with Hong Kong rising to India's 10th largest export destination in FY26 and India's exports to Hong Kong recording 33.22% year-on-year growth.
The growth of bilateral trade between India and Hong Kong is driven by gems and jewellery, electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products and logistics-related services.
Hong Kong serves as a strategic gateway to Asian markets, offering trade opportunities between India and Hong Kong through strong demand for high-value products and its world-class financial and logistics ecosystem.
Gems and Jewellery account for the largest share of India exports to Hong Kong, followed by Electronic Goods, Engineering Goods, Petroleum Products and Ready-Made Garments in FY26.
The India Hong Kong economic partnership is supported by growing FDI, the presence of Hong Kong companies in India, and strong banking, logistics and financial linkages that facilitate business expansion.
High-value sectors such as gems and jewellery, electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and marine products are well positioned to create new trade opportunities between India and Hong Kong.
The growth of India Hong Kong trade is supported by strong export growth, diversified merchandise trade, increasing investment flows and Hong Kong's role as a major regional trade and re-export hub.
Indian businesses can expand India exports to Hong Kong by leveraging Hong Kong's role as a global trading and financial hub and supplying high-value manufactured and value-added products.
Rising exports of electronic goods, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, marine products and value-added manufactured products indicate strong future export potential in the Hong Kong market.
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