New Delhi, May 19 -- India's copper imports have surged more than 350 percent over the past decade, reflecting growing structural weaknesses in the domestic copper ecosystem at a time when demand from electric vehicles, renewable energy and electronics manufacturing is rising sharply. According to trade data quoted by Business Standard, copper imports increased from Rs 22,856 crore in FY17 to Rs 1.03 trillion in FY26 till February. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently observed that India had become a net importer of copper after domestic plants shut down amid protests, highlighting the country's increasing dependence on imports. Domestic Demand Rises Sharply According to International Copper Association India (ICA India), India's copper ...