India’s exports of textile products to the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom reached $20.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2025, Parliament was informed recently.
Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said the US and EU remain key markets for Indian textiles. During 2024-25, India’s total textiles and apparel exports, including handicrafts, stood at $10.94 billion to the US, $7.6 billion to the EU and $2.16 billion to the UK. He added that India has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK and is actively negotiating with the EU.
Exports of technical textiles were valued at Rs. 24,732.68 crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting a 15.53% growth over the previous year, the minister said. Margherita noted that India has signed 15 FTAs, including the recently concluded pact with the UK. These agreements aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, streamline procedures and address structural issues to make Indian exporters more competitive.
He said the government is also implementing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles, with an approved outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore over five years, to promote the manufacturing of man-made fibre apparel, man-made fibre fabrics and technical textile products, enabling the sector to scale up and compete globally.
To further strengthen technical textiles, the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched for 2020-21 to 2025-26 with a fund outlay of Rs. 1,480 crore.
The government is continuously monitoring export performance and working with textile export promotion councils and industry bodies to enhance overseas trade, Margherita said. Measures include the Advance Authorisation Scheme, which allows duty-free import of inputs for export products, and the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel and madeups to support zero-rated exports. Other textile products not covered under RoSCTL fall under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme.
In addition, the government provides financial support to export councils and trade associations for participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets at both national and international levels.
Margherita also highlighted the upcoming Bharat TEX 2025, a global mega textile event supported by the ministry, which will showcase India’s textile value chain, highlight the latest innovations in the industry and position the country as a preferred destination for sourcing and investment.
