With the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to come into effect early next year, India’s textile and apparel industry is increasing efforts to identify new markets and strengthen relationships with existing European buyers.
A high-level delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Textiles and representatives of leading trade bodies visited France and Italy, participating in major exhibitions and holding discussions with retailers, fashion brands and industry platforms.
Delegation Engages with European Retail and Fashion Players
The delegation included Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles); A Sakthivel, Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC); and M Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms).
In Paris, the delegation met officials of Monoprix, a major retail chain with a portfolio covering fashion, grocery, home and beauty products and a network of more than 500 stores across France.
Discussions were also held with officials of Okaidi, a French children’s fashion brand under the IDKIDS Group, which operates around 890 stores across 51 countries.
The delegation also met representatives of luxury fashion house Chanel and LVMH, one of the world’s largest luxury goods groups, according to Sakthivel’s social media post.
Bharat Tex Trade Federation Signs MoU with Première Vision
During the Paris visit, the Bharat Tex Trade Federation and Première Vision SA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on September 2.
The agreement is intended to establish a multi-year institutional partnership aimed at strengthening India’s engagement with the global fashion, textile and sourcing ecosystem.
India-EU FTA Expected to Expand Market Access
The industry outreach follows the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU FTA in January.
The proposed agreement is expected to provide preferential market access across a substantial share of India’s exports to Europe, with textile and apparel products among the key beneficiaries.
The EU’s total textile and apparel imports in 2025 were valued at about $292.8 billion, while India’s exports of these products to the bloc stood at around $10.4 billion.
For Indian exporters, proposed zero-duty access across textile and clothing tariff lines could improve competitiveness in garments, textiles, yarn and home textiles against rival supplying countries.
Immersion Centre Planned in Milan
Another outcome of the visit is the proposed establishment of an Immersion Centre in Milan, according to Thirukkumaran Natarajan of Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA).
The proposed centre will seek to connect Indian apparel exporters more closely with European buyers, brands and industry stakeholders. It is intended to create opportunities for market access, collaboration and product development.