India’s textile industry is poised to meet global trade headwinds with resilience, self-reliance, and a renewed focus on export competitiveness. Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, along with the Minister of State for Textiles and the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, today chaired a high-level meeting with leading stakeholders from the textiles and apparel industry to review the evolving global trade situation, including the recent announcement of reciprocal tariffs by the United States, and to chart a confident, future-oriented strategy for the sector.
India’s Position in the Global Textile Trade
India is the 6th largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel in the world, with a 4.1% share in Calendar year by 2024. The textile and apparel sector, including handicrafts, contributed 8.63% to India’s total merchandise exports in 2024–25, valued at USD 37.7 billion.
While the USA remains India’s largest export market, accounting for 28.97% of textile and apparel exports, it represents only 6% of the overall Indian textile industry, which is valued at USD 179 billion (Domestic 142 billion USD and Exports 37 billion USD ). The sector has also witnessed significant growth in domestic demand over the last decade.
Focus on Diversification and Competitiveness
The Union Minister underscored the need to diversify the export basket, enhance product competitiveness, and tap into new and under-served markets. India has signed 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with partner countries whose combined textile import demand stands at USD 198.9 billion.
The Minister urged exporters to actively explore the European Union market, which collectively imports textiles worth USD 268.8 billion more than twice the size of the US market. India is actively engaged in FTA negotiations with EU.
Industry–Government Partnership
Industry representatives appreciated the Government’s proactive stance and swift engagement with stakeholders, extending their full support to the collective effort to safeguard India’s trade interests and strengthen its position in the global textile value chain.
The union Minister highlighted that this moment presents an opportunity to deepen Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) by:
Boosting domestic value addition
Advancing sustainable manufacturing practices
Strengthening India’s global brand as a supplier of high-quality textiles
This vision is aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “5F” approach – Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Four Committees to Drive Reforms
The Union Minister announced the constitution of four committees, comprising industry representatives, to submit time-bound recommendations on:
Diversification into new markets
Fiscal and ease of doing business measures
Structural reforms in the textile value chain
Enhancing cost competitiveness and innovation
A Target of USD 100 Billion Exports by 2030
The Union Minister expressed confidence that, despite global challenges, the Indian textile industry will achieve a target of USD 100 billion in exports by 2030.
The Union minister reiterated that with its inherent strengths, robust industry-government collaboration, and relentless focus on innovation, India’s textile sector is well-positioned to turn current challenges into stepping stones for sustained growth in the global marketplace.
The Ministry pledged ongoing collaboration with industry bodies to safeguard India’s trade interests and to develop and implement policies that would effectively mitigate the impact of the enhanced tariff regime.