Which one of the following continents accounts for the maximum share in exports from India?
- A.Asia
- B.Europe
- C.Africa
- D.North America
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Asia
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Asia. Asia takes the largest share of India’s exports, close to half of the total, far ahead of any other continent. The reason is geography and trade policy together: India’s biggest regional markets are its own neighbourhood and West Asia, where the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bangladesh, China and Saudi Arabia buy petroleum products, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, rice and pharmaceuticals. Short shipping routes, free trade agreements with ASEAN and a large Indian diaspora in the Gulf all add to the flow. Option B is wrong because Europe is the second largest destination region but well behind Asia. Option C is wrong because Africa, though a growing market for Indian medicines and vehicles, takes only a small share. Option D is wrong because North America is dominated by the United States, which is India’s largest single export partner, yet one country cannot outweigh a whole continent. Exam tip: by continent it is Asia, by country the United States; the two facts are asked in exactly this way.