Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated India's largest global textile event, Bharat Tex 2026, on July 14, 2026, asserting that the country's export diversification strategy has rendered the sector resilient amid global uncertainty. The minister emphasised that India is ready to compete globally, citing ongoing negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) and improvements in ease of doing business.
Export Diversification Strategy
According to the Economic Times, Singh noted that India's approach of targeting 40 key nations for export diversification helped the textiles sector register sustained export growth despite global headwinds. "Buyers from 130 countries have come. We are in the process of negotiating FTAs with various nations; some are underway while others have been signed. This shows we are ready to compete globally," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of the event. Participating countries include the US, UK, Japan, Russia, South Africa, UAE, and Bangladesh, among others.
"Buyers from 130 countries have come. We are in the process of negotiating FTAs with various nations; some are underway while others have been signed. This shows we are ready to compete globally." — Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles
Free Trade Agreements and Global Reach
The minister highlighted that global textile imports are estimated at around USD 900 billion, and the Narendra Modi-led government has signed FTAs with major textile-importing nations. Negotiations for similar pacts with several other countries are underway. Singh also noted that the event is attracting not only overseas buyers but also investors. "I have a meeting with them. This time not only buyers are coming here but also investors," he said, addressing queries on diversifying beyond China.
Market Growth and Targets
Singh outlined India's ambitious growth ambitions: the country aims to build a USD 350 billion textile market by 2030, consisting of USD 100 billion in exports and a USD 250 billion domestic market. The domestic textile market has already expanded significantly under the present government.
| Metric | Previous Value | Current Value |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic textile market size | USD 138 billion (when government assumed office) | USD 190 billion (current) |
| Export target by 2030 | – | USD 100 billion |
| Total market target by 2030 | – | USD 350 billion |
The government also waived the import duty on cotton until October, providing a boost to the sector.
Textile Clusters and Ease of Doing Business
The minister highlighted several textile manufacturing clusters gaining prominence, including Tiruppur, Surat, Ichalkaranji, Panipat, and Ludhiana. These clusters have benefited from improvements in the ease of doing business, which have enhanced their competitiveness on a global scale. The Economic Times reported that the government's reforms have played a key role in attracting investment and expanding production capacities.
Implications for Manufacturing Supply Chains
For manufacturing executives and procurement professionals, India's push for export diversification and FTA expansion signals growing opportunities for sourcing textiles and apparel from a stable, policy-driven environment. The target of USD 100 billion in exports by 2030 implies significant capacity scaling and investment in automation and production efficiency across clusters. The focus on 40 key nations suggests a deliberate strategy to reduce dependency on any single market, aligning with global buyers' need for supply chain resilience. As India negotiates more FTAs, tariff advantages could improve cost competitiveness for textiles sourced from Indian factories, making the country an increasingly attractive alternative to China.
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