India's international trade landscape has undergone a profound transformation, particularly since the economic liberalization reforms of 1991. These changes reflect India's increasing integration into the global economy and its evolving economic structure.

Changes in the Nature and Patterns of India's International Trade:

1. Shift in Composition of Exports and Imports: Historically, India's exports were dominated by traditional agricultural products and raw materials. Post-liberalization, there has been a significant shift towards manufactured goods (e.g., engineering goods, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals) and, most notably, services (especially IT and IT-enabled services). On the import front, while crude oil remains a major component, there's an increasing share of capital goods, technology, and intermediate goods required for domestic manufacturing.

2. Diversification of Trade Partners: India's trade relations have expanded beyond traditional partners in the West. There's a growing emphasis on trade with East Asia, ASEAN countries, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. This diversification reduces dependence on a few markets and opens new avenues for growth.

3. Rise of Services Trade: India has emerged as a global leader in services exports, particularly in information technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), and professional services. This sector contributes significantly to India's foreign exchange earnings and has altered the overall trade balance.

4. Increased Trade Volume and Value: Both exports and imports have witnessed substantial growth in volume and value, reflecting India's expanding economy and its greater engagement with global markets.

5. Integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs): India is increasingly participating in GVCs, importing components and raw materials for domestic processing and then exporting finished or semi-finished products. This indicates a deeper level of integration into the global production network.

6. Focus on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs): India has actively pursued and signed numerous FTAs and RTAs (e.g., with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Australia) to gain preferential market access and boost trade.

Major Influencing Factors:

1. Economic Liberalization (1991 Reforms): This was the single most critical factor. The dismantling of import quotas, reduction in tariffs, opening up to foreign investment, and deregulation significantly boosted India's trade potential and competitiveness.

2. Globalization and Technological Advancements: The broader trend of globalization, coupled with rapid advancements in communication and transportation technologies, has facilitated easier and cheaper international trade, especially in services.

3. Government Policies and Initiatives: Policies like 'Look East/Act East', 'Make in India', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and various export promotion schemes (e.g., MEIS, RoDTEP) have actively shaped trade patterns. The focus on improving ease of doing business and infrastructure development (ports, logistics) has also played a role.

4. Rising Domestic Demand and Industrial Growth: A growing middle class and expanding industrial base have fueled demand for diverse goods and services, leading to increased imports of raw materials, capital goods, and consumer products.

5. Energy Security Concerns: India's heavy reliance on crude oil imports to meet its energy needs continues to be a dominant factor influencing its import bill and trade strategy.

6. Geopolitical Shifts and Multilateral Engagements: Changing global power dynamics, the rise of new economic blocs, and India's active participation in multilateral forums like the WTO and regional groupings have influenced its trade policies and partnerships.

7. Exchange Rate Fluctuations: The value of the Indian Rupee against major currencies impacts the competitiveness of exports and the cost of imports.

In conclusion, India's international trade has evolved from a relatively closed, primary-product-dominated system to a more open, diversified, and services-led model. This transformation is a testament to strategic policy shifts, global economic integration, and India's growing economic prowess.