Trade and investment between India and Palestine

This article covers trade between India and Palestine: how trade is conducted, the figures available for 2023, the goods each side exports, the sectors the brief identifies for Indian exporters, and business agreements, events and trade fairs. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of July 2026, and figures are given as the brief states them.

How trade is conducted

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, trade between India and Palestine is conducted through Israel, and therefore comprehensive trade statistics are not available.

Trade figures for 2023

The brief gives India-Palestine annual bilateral trade volume as USD 145.597 million for the year 2023. It states that, as per the data published by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, "Indian exports and imports were USD 1.370 million and USD 144.227 million respectively". The brief does not specify whether these two figures are stated from India's side or from Palestine's side.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reports that India has a share of 0.09% of Palestine's exports. India ranks 12th among the importing countries for Palestine, with 1.74% share of total Palestine's imports.

The brief gives no figures for investment between India and Palestine in either direction.

Indian exports to Palestine

The brief lists the following among Indian exports to Palestine:

marble, granite, articles of stone, plaster and cement
basmati rice, coffee, cashew nuts, sugar and sweet biscuits
raw material for making vaccines
sacks and bags for the packing of goods
animal products, vegetable products, prepared foodstuffs and mineral products
products of the chemical industries, plastics, leather and furskins, wooden industries and textiles
headgear, umbrellas, walking sticks and seat-sticks
natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones and precious metals
base metals, machinery and mechanical appliances, and vehicles and associated transport equipment
optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus
clocks and watches, and musical instruments' parts and accessories

Palestinian exports to India

Palestinian exports are mainly fresh and dried dates, virgin olive oil and its fractions, and articles of base metal.

Sectors identified for Indian exporters

The brief names the following sectors as ones that could be the target sectors for Indian manufacturers and exporters: automotive spare parts, medical tourism, agro and food products, textiles, fabrics, ready made garments, household appliances, stationery products, leather and leather products, agro-chemicals, plastic products, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods.

Business agreements and events

An MoU on cooperation between the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) and the Ramallah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) was signed in February 2022.

To give momentum to bilateral trade, the Indian Mission, in partnership with the Palestinian Minister of National Economy, organised the first business seminar, "India Surging Ahead", in 2019. In 2020 it organised a Business Webinar, "Bridging Markets, India-Palestine", between the Palestinian Businessmen Forum and the Indian Economic Trade Organization.

The Representative Office of India, Palestine, organised the "Jharokha: Celebrating Crafts of India" exhibition in association with the Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industries in February 2022.

Palestinian participation in Indian trade fairs

Palestinian business delegations have attended:

PRINTPACK INDIA 2019 International exhibition (14th edition) at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, in February 2019
the India Stone Mart Exhibition at Jaipur in March 2019
the 4th and 5th editions of 'IndusFood', organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India, in March 2021 and January 2022

In 2023, Palestine took part in the 6th India-Arab Partnership Conference in New Delhi, World Food India 2023 at Pragati Maidan, and the 11th International Exhibition for Pharma and Healthcare (IPHEX 2023) at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi.

Since the brief of July 2026

Later developments in India and Palestine relations, from MEA publications, newest first. The article above reports the brief at its date.

Questions and answers

What is the volume of India-Palestine trade?

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, India-Palestine annual bilateral trade volume was USD 145.597 million for the year 2023. Trade is conducted through Israel, so comprehensive trade statistics are not available.

What does Palestine export to India?

The brief states that Palestinian exports are mainly fresh and dried dates, virgin olive oil and its fractions, and articles of base metal.

What business agreements exist between India and Palestine?

An MoU on cooperation between the Trade Promotion Council of India and the Ramallah Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed in February 2022.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.