Can India Afford To Completely Decouple From China?

As you may be aware, when we download and use the app, we, as users, allow developers unrestrained access to our smartphone data--the information stored in it. This helps the app developer in data mining and profiling, who can then use it to display relevant advertisements (of goods and services) that may be of our interest. Some unethical app developers even put your valuable data up for sale. However, all this is a breach of privacy and potentially could expose you, the user, to cyber-attacks.

So, in my view, the government banning the 59 Chinese apps (like TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Likeee, UC Browser, DU battery saver, Virus Cleaner, to name a few), was a step in the right direction and much deserving!

The government also plans to bar Chinese firms from participating in the highway project in India and investing in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), going by the recent statement of Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Indian Railway recently terminated a World Bank-funded Rs 470 crore 'signalling' contract given to a Chinese firm four years ago, for inordinate delay in the contract execution (although the timing of it came amidst India-China tensions). The Maharashtra government in consultation with the State government, too, has put three major agreements worth Rs 5,000 crore on hold.

The centre currently is reviewing around 50 investment proposals involving Chinese companies under the new screening policy, said three sources speaking to Reuters.

Anti-China sentiments are building up. There is now a movement to reduce the dependence on Chinese goods and encourage Indian ones. A wide range of trade policies are being discussed for this purpose.

The spotlights are turning on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' or self-reliant India, a clarion call made by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi citing five pillars: the economy, infrastructure, systems, and vibrant democracy, and demand.

Indian manufacturers and traders' body support the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' clarion call and many are of the view that the entry of Chinese goods should be restricted. However, they are of the view that it should be done in a calibrated manner and not until alternatives are in place.

Currently, more than 14% of India's imports come from China. Besides, China is also an important destination for India's exports (earning US$ 15 billion by exporting goods to the dragon nation).

So, the question is: Can India really completely afford to decouple from China

When asked about auto sector imports from China (and Maruti Suzuki India in particular), Mr R.C. Bhargava, Chairman Maruti Suzuki India said, "We don't import because we like to, but because we have no choice".

Echoing Mr Bhargava's views, Vinnie Mehta, Director General at Auto Component Manufacturers' Association of India (ACMA) appealed, "We cannot have a knee-jerk reaction, especially when we are emerging from the disruption caused by the pandemic." He also suggested that some components that the auto industry imports are difficult to source from elsewhere. According to an ICRA report, India imports USD 4.8 billion worth auto components from India-27% of India's auto component imports.

The condition of the pharmaceutical industry isn't different.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the third-largest in the world. Nonetheless, approximately 2/3^rd of Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs) consumed by the Indian pharmaceutical industry are imported from China. Many industry experts believe any sudden ban or restriction on API imports from China may cause supply disruptions and in turn, could result in price escalations as well.

Likewise, some popular e-commerce, digital payments, and ride-hailing apps in India are backed by Chinese investments.

Besides, India's dependence on China for consumer electronics, home appliances, electrical switchgear, lightings, furniture, smartphones, telecom equipment, toys, beauty products, is well known.

Moreover, India imports iron and steel from China (on which India recently slapped an anti-dumping import duty).

There are various other sectors and industries that still depend on China.

Until we are completely self-reliant, for good and services we depend on China today, an outright vetoing would prove disruptive and inflationary.

So far, thankfully, there's no knee-jerk response from the policymakers, beyond using trade as pressure tactics.

What should be done instead?

For India to be self-reliant, the confluence of five 'I''s---Intent, Inclusion, Innovation, Infrastructure, and Investments---as stated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently while addressing CII's 125^th Annual General Meeting to get India on the path of high growth will be necessary. Among these, infrastructure will play a key role so that investments follow and India fills in the gap.

Reducing dependency on Chinese imports isn't a new topic. In 2018, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, under the chairmanship of Mr Naresh Gujaral (Shiromani Akali Dal's Rajya Sabha member), presented 145^th report on "Impact of Chinese Goods on Indian Industry".

Some issues highlighted by the committee are noteworthy:

• The committee observed that the unintended outcome of India's effort of promoting the Ease of Doing Business was rampant access given to Chinese producers, which in effect is discouraging Indian manufacturing industries.

• The Committee also suspected massive under-invoicing of Chinese goods.

• India lacked strong implementation of an anti-dumping framework which enabled unscrupulous players to import Chinese goods through misclassification.

• Para 4.2 of the committee report made an interesting suggestion: It is important that public opinion is created in the country to discourage buying of sub-standard imported products. Industry forums have a greater responsibility to enlighten people about the dangers of buying sub-standard products. This seems to be subtly implemented by the Indian manufacturers at various levels.

• The committee also clarified that it wasn't against trade with China, but it was in favour of complete protection to Indian industry against illegitimate, protectionist, and unfair trade practices of any country.

At present, encouraging domestic manufacturing (by pursuing tax-friendly policies) and creating domestic alternatives to Chinese imports is the only option to curb Chinese imports.

While India has brought import duties on par with those adopted in East Asia, the policies haven't encouraged cost-effective manufacturing in India. Between 2003 and 2019, India's imports from China went up nearly 20 times. State interests, over-lapping regulatory controls, challenges in land acquisition, project delays, higher cost of capital, and archaic labour laws among others have been major hurdles.

The government will have to look into these aspects to unshackle the constraints so that India leaps forward. Some State governments have been rolling out the red carpet for the industry to promote domestic manufacturing, altering labour laws, and offering tax sops. Yet, how effective these measures prove to be will depend on the Centre's stand on a variety of policy issues.

The government has shortlisted a few industries to promote domestic manufacturing and also looking at non-tariff interventions to encouraging import substitution. They include food processing, organic farming, industrial machinery, furniture, leather, textiles, masks, auto components, sanitizers, ventilators, masks, and coveralls among others.

Last month, the government announced a special package of Rs 13,760 crore to promote manufacturing of APIs in India, but experts believe these measures aren't enough. From being reasonably self-sufficient, India became heavily dependent on Chinese APIs due to price controls which discouraged Indian manufacturing, argued the Chairman of one of India's top-most pharma companies.

This suggests that despite vocal for local and Atmanirbhar Bharat, Chinese imports can be discouraged only gradually.

China's massive scale manufacturing, cost-efficiency, and timely delivery cannot be ignored; particularly when several sectors and industries are dependent- directly or indirectly.

For India to be the next manufacturing hub of the world, it will first need to build world-class infrastructure, make land acquisition easy, do away with deterring labour laws, increase the productivity of human capital, keep policy rates low, develop cost-effective supply chain logistics, and pursue tax-friendly policies.

India will one day need to overtake China and rely less on its imports. If we rely excessively on imports from one nation which shares hostile relations, the country's diplomatic and economic power stands to lose at the international landscape while dealing with that country.

How dependence on China affects your investments?

In the foreseeable future, two types of companies will be heavily affected-one, those relying heavily on Chinese components/imports; and two, which rely on niche components whose supply is dominated by China and cannot be easily substituted.

Until domestic capacities are developed or alternative sources are found without much escalation in cost, the cloud of uncertainty will continue to loom over such companies.

As India and China have resumed the process of de-escalation at the border, the further trade impediments may be limited. Will that give India the time needed to launch big bang reforms -legislative as well as non-legislative?

For you, as investors, this would be a crucial aspect to watch out for.

You should also check how the fund managers of the mutual fund schemes you have invested in are reacting to these on-going trade issues. Do they mention anything pertaining to trade-tensions in their monthly commentaries? What is the exposure of the scheme's portfolio to stocks affected/potentially affected by changing trade policies?

To minimise the impact of such uncertainties on your portfolio, I recommend following the `Core & Satellite' approach when investing in mutual funds. It is a time-tested strategy adopted by some of the most successful investors.

This strategy helps you concentrate on the stable schemes with a long-term view and at the same time take advantage of short-term opportunities.

The 'Core' holding should comprise around 65-70% of your equity mutual fund portfolio and consist of large-cap fund, multi-cap fund, and a value style fund.

Whereas, the 'Satellite' holdings of the portfolio can be around 30-35% comprising of a mid-cap fund, a large & mid-cap fund, and an aggressive hybrid fund.

The six advantages of 'Core & Satellite' Approach to investing are as under:

1. Provides optimal diversification;

2. Lowers the need for constant portfolio churning

3. Reduces the risk involved in your portfolio;

4. Helps you benefit from a variety of investment strategies;

5. Allows you to create wealth cushioning the downside; and

6. Holds the potential to outperform the market

If India attains its goal of reducing the trade deficit with China and manages to promote domestic manufacturing and exports, the industry and market may see a different tomorrow.

That said, given the uncertainty looming and the Indian equity market continuing to remain very volatile, prefer Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) route while you build the portfolio the equity mutual fund portfolio the 'Core and Satellite' way.

And remember to align your investments with your risk appetite, broader investment objective, financial goals, and time horizon to accomplish the envisioned financial goals.

If you wish to invest in a readymade portfolio of top recommended equity mutual funds based on the 'Core & Satellite' approach to investing, I recommend that you subscribe to PersonalFN's Premium Report, "The Strategic Funds Portfolio For 2025 (2020 Edition)". This premium report will help you build your optimum mutual funds portfolio for 2025 without any effort on your part. If you haven't subscribed yet, do it now!

Happy Investing!

Warm Regards,
Rounaq Neroy
Editor, Daily Wealth Letter

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