New Delhi, July 2 -- China is flexing its trade muscles again by reportedly limiting the export of speciality fertilisers to India. This is not the first time China has used its export advantage to choke supply of critical commodities. China has curbed export of rare earth materials and also of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), a type of fertilizer. This curb on speciality fertilizers has made India vulnerable due to its sizeable import dependence even as China's role has seen a decline in recent years.

India meets 75-80% of its total consumption needs through indigenous production, leaving some room for import dependence, data available until 2023-24 by fertilizer ministry showed. Fertilizer-wise, the trends vary: India has met 77% of urea c...