Through which route does most of India's foreign trade take place?

The correct answer is Sea route.

Key Points

• Most of India's foreign trade is carried through sea routes.
• India is surrounded by water on three sides and has a coastline of 7516.6 km.
• This geographical feature has made sea transport the major player in carrying out the international trade of India.
• According to the Ministry of Shipping, around 95% of India's trading by volume and 70% by value is done through maritime transport.
• However, a small portion is also carried through land route to neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Additional Information

• India exports worth $453 billion and imports to the tune of $723 billion.
• India's overall international trade reached $1.17 trillion in recent years.
• However, sea alone is not sufficient to transport India’s exports, which include perishable materials which can only be transported through the air.
• Major sea trading ports of India: ​Kandla Port, Mumbai Port, Chennai Port, Kolkata Port, Cochin Port, Vizag port etc.
• Sagarmala Project is also aiming to boost Sea trade in India.