The ‘International Journal of Leadership and Management’ (IJLM)

The not-so-impossible Trinity: Estimating India, Russia and China’s long-run trade relations

Dr. Sarthak Dasgupta 

Assistant Professor, EIILM – Kolkata

Email: sarthakd16@iimcal.ac.in 

Aratrika Roy Chowdhury 

Assistant Professor, EIILM - Kolkata 

Email: aratrikaroychowdhury@gmail.com

Somrita Chakraborty 

Assistant Professor, EIILM – Kolkata

Email: Somrita.chak91@gmail.com 

JEL Classification: F13, F62                                                                                                                                               https://doi.org/10.65176/IJLM.V2I1.09

ABSTRACT:

India, Russia, and China seem to be major powerhouses in the global economy. This trio might look like an impossible trinity, but if it can be made possible, then the global economy might see a surge in the economic growth trajectory. There is a candidate set of factors that might make this impossible trinity possible, but the most impactful endogenous factor would be the international trade relations among the three countries. An improvement in trade relations among these countries could be a consequence of the tariff war initiated by the USA. With this backdrop, a pertinent question arises: What happens to certain indicators of trade in the long run for India, Russia, and China?

While China is a hostile neighbour to India, experts have shown optimism in improved bilateral relations, mainly through trade agreements. Apart from the common agenda of the US, India, and China, the BRICS bloc provides an official platform for better bilateral ties. Since its Independence, India has been more inclined towards Russia in terms of economic planning and foreign policy. Russia has been an unwavering friend, starting from its heroics during the 1971 war, and the two countries have successfully conducted international trade in their respective currencies without depending on US dollars.

In this study, we attempt to estimate the long-run equilibrium relationship of the trade-to-GDP ratio of India, Russia, and China. The econometric specifications employed in this study are an Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) in a Time Series model framework. The ARDL Error Correction Method (ECM) would be used as the analytical tool to confirm (or not confirm) the long-run relationship of the trade-to-GDP ratio of the three countries. The main variables of interest will be collected from the IMF and World Bank. Tracing the long-run relationship of Trade to GDP of these three powerhouse economies would have ample policy implications in the global forum.

 

Keywords: Tariff war, Trade to GDP ratio, India, China, Russia, ARDL

 

JEL Classifications: F13, F62

References: 

Batra, A. (2020). India’s Economic Relevance in the Indo-Pacific. Asian Perspective.

Bhagwati, J. (1958). Immiserizing growth: A geometrical note. The Review of Economic Studies, 25(3), 201–205.

Dongxiao, C. (2016). The Russia–India–China Trio in the Changing International System. (World Scientific / peer venue chapter/article)

Engle, R. F., & Granger, C. W. J. (1987). Co-integration and Error Correction: Representation, Estimation, and Testing. Econometrica, 55(2), 251–276

Ghosh, S., Agarwal, M. & Banerjee, A. (2019). India–China Trade: Asymmetrical Developments and Future Prospects. South Asia Economic Journal, 20(1), 70–93.

Hassler, U., & Wolters, J. (2006). Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models and Cointegration. Palgrave Handbook of Econometrics: Volume 1: Econometric Theory. Palgrave Macmillan.

Jones, S., & Patel, R. (2022). Trade Dynamics and Structural Breaks in BRICS Economies. FREIT Working Paper No. 1079.

Kaplinsky, R. (2013). Past innovation Trajectories in Latin America and Current Innovation Trajectories in China. Learning, capability building and development. Palgrave Macmillan.

Khan, T., & Gupta, R. (2024). India–Russia Trade Dynamics: Cointegration in the shadow of diversification. Journal of Eurasian Economics.

Munir, Z. & Keshari, R. (2018). Russia as a Factor in India–China Relations. World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues.

Murray, A. (2023). Russia’s Strategic Energy Ties with Asia: Implications for India–Russia trade. Military Review, U.S. Army.

Pandey, S., & Kumar, V. (2024). India–China Trade Structure and Long-Run Equilibrium: A Cointegration Analysis. International Journal of Trade Studies.

Qobo, M., & Soko, M. (2015). BRICS as an Institutional Pivot: Trade Coordination Among emerging economies. Africa Policy Review.

Singh, P., & Sharma, R. (2022). Global Value Chains and India–China Trade Resilience. Muni Economics Journal.

Toda, L., et al. (2023). India–China–Russia Triangular Trade: Challenges and Cooperative Pathways. Policy Brief No. 202, Toda Foundation.

 Wu, Y. & Zhou, Z. (2006). Changing Bilateral Trade between China and India. Journal of Asian Economics, 17(3), 509–518.

Yoder, B. K. (2023). Explaining Cooperation and Rivalry in China–India Relations. (International Relations / area studies journal).

Volume: 2

Issue: 1

Type: Research

Funding: Self

ISSN: 0975-069X (Print)

Language: English

Date of Publication: Oct 10, 2025

Read Full Text