India’s global textile identity is undergoing a strategic transformation as the country strengthens the branding, competitiveness and export readiness of its apparel, textile and handicraft sectors. With exports touching USD 37.75 billion in 2024–25 and a presence in more than 200 international markets, India continues to consolidate its position as one of the world’s most reliable suppliers.
Recognising this momentum, the Government has intensified efforts to build a unified, modern and globally resonant identity for Indian textiles—supported by policy reform, branding initiatives, export promotion mechanisms and a strengthened supply-chain architecture.
A National Framework for Export Acceleration
At the heart of the branding push is the newly approved Export Promotion Mission (EPM), a collaborative platform uniting the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, financial institutions, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, State Governments and industry bodies. The mission brings both financial and non-financial enablers under a cohesive national strategy.
Under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, MSMEs gain improved access to affordable trade finance through tools such as interest subvention, collateral-free guarantees, export factoring, credit cards tailored to e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement products designed to support entry into new global markets.
Complementing this is NIRYAT DISHA, which focuses on non-financial support—quality compliance, international branding and packaging, trade fair participation, warehousing and logistics assistance, inland transport reimbursements, and broad-based capacity building. Together, the two pillars are designed to help Indian exporters compete more effectively and grow their global footprint.
Fueling Market Access Through Trade Agreements
India has now signed 15 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). These agreements aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, streamline procedures and resolve structural challenges—ultimately improving the competitiveness of Indian exporters in partner economies.
Strengthening Brand India: Cotton, Silk and Global Showcases
A series of high-impact branding initiatives are reshaping India’s global textile identity.
Kasturi Cotton, a trademarked identity for premium Indian cotton, leverages traceability systems that assure responsible sourcing and supply-chain transparency.
Similarly, Silk Mark continues to certify the purity and quality of silk products, reinforcing India’s leadership in the global silk sector.
In 2025, India amplified its global outreach through Bharat TEX 2025, a mega textile showcase supported by the Ministry and implemented through Export Promotion Councils. The event brought together the entire textiles value chain—highlighting innovation, technological progress, sustainability leadership and India’s growing profile as a preferred sourcing and investment destination.
Policy Ecosystem to Enhance Competitiveness
The Government is simultaneously implementing a wide range of schemes aimed at strengthening production and boosting competitiveness. These include RoSCTL, RoDTEP, and the PM MITRA Parks, which are creating world-class integrated textile manufacturing regions. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for MMF fabrics, MMF apparel and technical textiles aims to scale manufacturing capacities while accelerating India’s shift towards high-value, future-ready segments.
Driving Innovation: Technical Textiles, AI Forecasting and Design Heritage
Innovation is a major focus area. The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) continues to catalyse research in specialty fibres—carbon, aramid, nylon, composites—and multiple technical textile segments including geo, agro and medical textiles. The mission also supports indigenous machinery development, user awareness and skill building.
Parallelly, VisioNxt, operating as a dedicated Research, Academic and Innovation Unit under NIFT with a state-of-the-art AI lab in Chennai, is shaping India’s future-ready design intelligence. By developing indigenous forecasting tools and design analytics, it strengthens strategic decision-making across the textile value chain.
In the handloom sector, ongoing R&D initiatives are revitalising traditional knowledge systems through craft documentation, natural dye research, fibre experimentation and design preservation. Design Resource Centres (DRCs) at Weavers’ Service Centres are further supporting excellence by archiving traditional designs and enabling innovation grounded in heritage.
This information was provided by Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.