Despite Global Tariff Pressures, 111 Countries Open Markets for India; Textile Exports Rise by 10%
India’s textile sector has recorded a significant rise in exports amid intensified global tariff competition. At a time when major economies are reassessing trade relationships and tightening tariff structures, as many as 111 countries have expanded market access for Indian textile products. This shift has enabled India’s textile exports to grow by 10% during the recent assessment period.
According to official data, textile exports from India reached USD 848.90 crore during April–September, marking a notable recovery and expansion in international demand despite ongoing challenges posed by global trade barriers.
111 Countries Ease Market Access for Indian Textiles
In the backdrop of increasing tariff-related concerns—particularly from the United States—India has sought to diversify its export markets. A coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening India’s presence in non-traditional markets led to 111 countries granting wider market access to Indian textile products.
The Ministry of Textiles reported that India’s products have found increasing acceptance in several emerging and mid-tier economies, which helped offset tariff-related pressures in more competitive markets.
Officials believe that by 2025–26, this diversification strategy will significantly reduce India’s vulnerability to tariff fluctuations in Western markets.
Strong Surge in Overall Export Demand
Between April and September, textile exports grew by 10% compared to the same period in the previous year. Exports reached USD 77.03 billion, driven largely by increased demand in apparel, home textiles, and specialized industrial fabrics.
Industry experts attribute this growth to:
- Strengthened global outreach
- Enhanced competitiveness through government production-linked incentives
- Rising preference for Indian synthetic and blended fabrics
- Competitive pricing compared to other major textile-exporting nations
Leading apparel and textile clusters have reported double-digit increases in export orders, especially for ready-made garments and eco-friendly textile solutions.
Key Export Markets Register Up to 19% Growth
India recorded export growth of 19% in its top textile markets, significantly boosting the sector’s overall performance. Markets such as the United States, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia showed stronger-than-expected demand.
The combined export value from these major markets reached USD 144.5 billion, out of which apparel accounted for nearly USD 56 billion.
Outbound shipments from textile hubs including Surat, Tiruppur, Ludhiana, Noida, and Jaipur displayed consistent upward trends in both volume and order size.
Emerging Markets Expand Rapidly
Newer markets, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia, showed strong scaling potential. Export data suggests that shipments to non-traditional markets may reach USD 1.5 trillion cumulatively by 2025–26 if the present growth trajectory continues.
India Overtakes Japan; Becomes Third-Largest Export Destination for Indonesia
India has achieved a major milestone by surpassing Japan to become the third-largest export destination for Indonesia, following the United States and China.
Indonesian trade data highlights:
- A 2.5% rise in total exports
- A 9.6% increase in exports to India
The growing volume of Indonesian shipments to India is attributed to increased industrial collaboration, rising demand for raw materials, and resilient bilateral trade ties.
Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, Indonesian exports to India are expected to rise from USD 28.83 billion to USD 22.8 billion (adjusted forecast), marking steady recovery and diversification.
India’s rising consumer base, expanding industrial infrastructure, and demand for intermediate goods are key drivers behind this upward trend.
Global Conditions Highlight India’s Unexpected Strength
Trade analysts note that such export performance from India comes at a time when global markets are experiencing economic uncertainty, currency fluctuations, and shifts in supply-chain strategies. While several competing countries registered slowdowns, India showed resilience by:
- Tapping diversified markets
- Enhancing product quality
- Expanding into tariff-neutral zones
- Leveraging multilateral trade agreements
The sector’s continued growth will depend on sustained government support, strategic market expansion, and the ability to adhere to evolving global sustainability standards.
