Indian Textile Delegation
Showcases Strength in London, Highlights CETA, Sustainability and GI Products
A
high-level Indian textile delegation led by Secretary (Textiles) Ms. Neelam
Shami Rao visited London to showcase India’s textile strength and enhance
India–UK trade engagement.
·
Events: Textile Roadshow and buyer meetings in
Handicrafts, Handloom, and Carpets.
·
Trade
Snapshot: India is
the 4th largest textile exporter to the UK; exports stood at USD 2.16
bn in 2024–25 (6.6% of UK imports). Major exports: apparel, cotton
textiles, MMF, handicrafts, and carpets.
·
Focus
Areas:
Sustainability, traceability, GI-tagged products, and strengthening direct
buyer–producer linkages.
·
Leaders’
Remarks:
Secretary (Textiles) highlighted India’s blend of heritage craftsmanship and
modern sustainability practices. High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami emphasised
CETA as a “win–win” for both countries.
·
Outcome: The visit is expected to boost market access,
encourage joint investments, and strengthen India’s textile brand positioning
in the UK, supporting the target of doubling textile exports by 2030.
A high-level Indian delegation led by
Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is visiting
London to showcase India’s strength across the textile value chain and to deepen
India–UK trade engagement. The delegation includes representatives of all major
Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and leading exporters.
On the first day of the visit, a series
of programmes were organised, including a Textile Roadshow and sectoral meetings
with buyers and sourcing houses in the Handicraft, Handloom and Carpet sectors.
India–UK Textile Trade Snapshot
·
India is the 4th largest textile exporter to the UK.
·
Exports to the UK stood at USD 2.16 billion in 2024–25, accounting for 6.6%
of UK’s imports.
·
Composition of exports: Apparel (66.2%), Cotton Textiles (12.8%), MMF (7.5%),
Handicrafts (7.2%), Carpets (3.0%).
·
India’s overall textile exports are targeted to double by 2030, driven by
sustainability initiatives and market access under agreements such as the India–UK
CETA.
Roadshow in London
The Textile Roadshow, jointly organised
by the High Commission of India, London, and the Ministry of Textiles with EPCs,
highlighted the vast opportunities under CETA.
Speaking at the event, Secretary (Textiles)
underscored India’s ability to serve the UK market with a unique combination of
heritage craftsmanship, modern scale, sustainability, and traceability initiatives.
She emphasised India’s focus on building resilient and transparent supply chains
aligned with global consumer expectations.
H.E. Mr. Vikram K. Doraiswami, High Commissioner
of India to the UK, underlined the historic relations between India and the UK and
emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral textile ties. He noted that
the recently signed India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides
a win–win opportunity for both countries, enabling enhanced trade, investment,
and collaboration in textiles.
Buyer Meetings
Sectoral meetings of Indian delegation with UK buyers in
Handicrafts, Handloom and Carpets focused on:
·
GI-tagged Indian products;
·
sustainability and traceability measures;
·
direct buyer–producer linkages.
UK buyers welcomed the initiative and
reaffirmed their commitment to expand sourcing from India.
Way Forward
The visit is expected to enhance market
access, promote joint investments, and strengthen the brand positioning of Indian
textiles in the UK. It reaffirms India’s commitment to being a trusted and sustainable
global textile partner, while working towards the ambitious target of doubling textile
exports by 2030.