India Eyes EU, New Markets To Drive Textile Export Surge
India’s textile industry is gearing up to tackle global trade challenges head-on, with a renewed thrust on quality, zero defects, and export competitiveness, aiming for a US$ 100 billion export target by 2030.
In a high-level meeting with top textile and apparel stakeholders at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, joined by the Minister of State for Textiles and the Textile Secretary, reviewed the evolving trade scenario, particularly the impact of the US’s newly announced reciprocal tariffs and laid out an ambitious growth blueprint.
“This is not a time to retreat, it is a time to seize opportunities, diversify our markets, and strengthen India’s position as a global supplier of high-quality textiles,” the Minister said, urging industry to deepen Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) and focus on innovation, sustainability, and brand India.
India’s Global Position & Opportunities
India, the world’s sixth-largest textile and apparel exporter with a 4.1% global share in 2024, shipped goods worth US$ 37.7 billion last year, contributing 8.63% to total merchandise exports. While the US remains India’s largest market, taking 28.97% of textile exports, the Minister stressed that the European Union’s US$ 268.8 billion textile import market, over twice the size of the US market remains under-tapped.
With 15 existing Free Trade Agreements and ongoing negotiations with the EU, India is eyeing new opportunities in under-served geographies.
Four Committees to Drive Change
To accelerate reforms, the Ministry announced four industry-led committees to deliver time-bound recommendations on:
1. Market diversification
2. Ease of doing business & fiscal measures
3. Structural reforms in the value chain
4. Cost competitiveness & innovation
From Farm to Foreign – The 5F Approach
Reaffirming the Prime Minister’s 5F vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, the Minister called for greater domestic value addition, sustainable manufacturing, and an uncompromising focus on quality and zero-defect production.
Industry–Government Unity
Industry leaders welcomed the government’s swift action and assured full support for strategies to expand into alternative markets and maintain India’s competitive edge despite global disruptions.
With a clear roadmap, strong policy backing, and determined industry participation, India’s textile sector is positioning itself not just to withstand global trade headwinds, but to turn them into tailwinds on the road to US$ 100 billion exports by 2030.
