Giriraj Singh: India-UK FTA to Boost Textile Export Growth

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, effective July 15, will significantly boost Indian textile and apparel exports through duty-free access to a key market, while strengthening India’s broader trade agreement network.

Singh noted India currently holds 10 FTAs covering 19 countries. With the UK deal now operational and negotiations with the EU and New Zealand nearing completion, FTA coverage is set to expand to 56 countries in the coming years.

He said the global textile import market is valued at around $900 billion, with India’s share standing at just 4%. Once pending agreements — particularly with the EU — are concluded, the 56 countries under India’s FTA network would account for nearly 60% of the global textile import market, opening major export opportunities for Indian manufacturers.

On US tariff uncertainty, Singh said India has retained about 80% competitiveness in that market. Textile exports to the US stood near $10.9 billion before 2024, and while some decline occurred, it fell well short of initial fears. The government responded by identifying 40 new international markets through Indian embassies; against projected losses of up to $11 billion, actual reduction was limited to roughly $2 billion, underscoring the sector’s resilience.

Singh added that textile exports now originate from 548 districts across India, spanning handicrafts, handlooms and garments — a sign of expanding export participation beyond traditional clusters.

To build export capacity further, the Ministry of Textiles is establishing six dedicated Export Facilitation Centres to assist new exporters with registration, documentation, and FTA and Certificate of Origin guidance. Singh also plans to engage state Chief Ministers to strengthen district-level exporter support, while all 11 Export Promotion Councils have been directed to run awareness programmes helping smaller businesses maximize FTA benefits.