International Trade

Trade between two countries is called international trade. In the chapter, foreign trade of India is discussed as trade with other countries, which is the same idea.

A land-locked harbour is one that is connected to the sea by a channel. The chapter states that Visakhapatnam is land-locked, while Haldia is developed to reduce congestion at Kolkata port. So, among the given options, the correct answer is Haldia only if we follow the printed options? No—the chapter text clearly says Visakhapatnam Port is a land-locked harbour. Therefore the correct answer is Vishakhapatnam.

Most of India's foreign trade is carried through sea and air routes. The chapter states this directly, though a small portion also goes by land to neighbouring countries.

The characteristics of India's foreign trade are:

- India’s international trade has changed a lot in volume, composition and direction.
- India’s share in world trade is still low, about one per cent of total volume.
- The value of imports has continued to be higher than exports.
- India’s export basket is dominated by manufactured goods, while import basket includes fuel, capital goods, fertilisers and other goods.
- Trade is carried mainly through sea and air routes, with only a small part through land routes to neighbouring countries.
- India has trade relations with most countries and major trading blocks of the world.

A port is a place on the coast or river where ships load and unload goods and passengers. A harbour is a sheltered place where ships can anchor safely.

So, the difference is:
- Harbour = safe shelter for ships
- Port = place for commercial loading and unloading

A port may have a harbour, but a harbour need not be a port.