India's Trade Balance: 1970-71 to 1984-85 Analysis and Policy Implications

The aim of this paper is to examine India's balance of commodity trade over a fifteen year period - 1970-71 to 1984 - 85. The concern with the trade balance is because of its dominance, especially since 1979-80, In the country' total payments balance (Table 1). Over the fifteen years, India's average trade deficit increased ten-fold, from 488.2 crores of rupees In the 1970-71 to 1975-76 years, to 5096.2 crores of rupees in 1978-79 to 1984-85 years.