On 23 SEP 2025, a high-level Indian delegation, led by Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, visited London to showcase India's strength in the textile value chain and deepen India–UK trade engagement. The delegation included representatives of major Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and leading exporters. A Textile Roadshow was organised along with sectoral meetings with UK buyers and sourcing houses in the Handicraft, Handloom and Carpet sectors.
**India-UK Textile Trade Snapshot:**
* India is the 4th largest textile exporter to the UK.
* Exports to the UK stood at USD 2.16 billion in 2024–25, accounting for 6.6% of UK's imports.
* Composition of exports: Apparel (66.2%), Cotton Textiles (12.8%), MMF (7.5%), Handicrafts (7.2%), Carpets (3.0%).
* India's overall textile exports are targeted to double by 2030, driven by sustainability initiatives and market access under agreements such as the India–UK CETA.
The Textile Roadshow, jointly organised by the High Commission of India, London, and the Ministry of Textiles with EPCs, highlighted the vast opportunities under CETA. Sectoral meetings focused on GI-tagged Indian products, sustainability and traceability measures, and direct buyer-producer linkages. UK buyers welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to expand sourcing from India.
The visit is expected to enhance market access, promote joint investments, and strengthen the brand positioning of Indian textiles in the UK. The visit reaffirmed India's commitment to being a trusted and sustainable global textile partner, while working towards the ambitious target of doubling textile exports by 2030.
Release ID: 2170236
Key Entities Referenced
India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): A recently signed trade agreement between India and the UK, designed to enable enhanced trade, investment, and collaboration.
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for textile policy and initiatives; jointly organized the Textile Roadshow with the High Commission of India in London.
London: The city where the Indian Textile Delegation showcased its strength, the location of the Textile Roadshow, and a key market for Indian textiles.
Ministry of Textiles
Indian Textile Delegation Showcases Strength in
London; Focus on CETA, Sustainability and GI
Products
Posted On: 23 SEP 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi
A high-level Indian delegation led by Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles,
Government of India, is visiting London to showcase India’s strength across the textile value chain
and to deepen India–UK trade engagement. The delegation includes representatives of all major
Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and leading exporters.
On the first day of the visit, a series of programmes were organised, including a Textile Roadshow and
sectoral meetings with buyers and sourcing houses in the Handicraft, Handloom and Carpet sectors.
India–UK Textile Trade Snapshot
India is the 4th largest textile exporter to the UK.
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Exports to the UK stood at USD 2.16 billion in 2024–25, accounting for 6.6% of UK’s imports.
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Composition of exports: Apparel (66.2%), Cotton Textiles (12.8%), MMF (7.5%), Handicrafts (7.2%),
(cid:108)
Carpets (3.0%).
India’s overall textile exports are targeted to double by 2030, driven by sustainability initiatives and
(cid:108)
market access under agreements such as the India–UK CETA.
Roadshow in London
The Textile Roadshow, jointly organised by the High Commission of India, London, and the Ministry of
Textiles with EPCs, highlighted the vast opportunities under CETA.
Speaking at the event, Secretary (Textiles) underscored India’s ability to serve the UK market with a uniquecombination of heritage craftsmanship, modern scale, sustainability, and traceability initiatives. She
emphasised India’s focus on building resilient and transparent supply chains aligned with global consumer
expectations. H.E. Mr. Vikram K. Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK, underlined the
historic relations between India and the UK and emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral textile
ties. He noted that the recently signed India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
provides a win–win opportunity for both countries, enabling enhanced trade, investment, and collaboration in
textiles.
Buyer Meetings
Sectoral meetings of Indian delegation with UK buyers in Handicrafts, Handloom and Carpets focused on:
GI-tagged Indian products;
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sustainability and traceability measures;
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direct buyer–producer linkages.
(cid:108)
UK buyers welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to expand sourcing from India.
Way Forward
The visit is expected to enhance market access, promote joint investments, and strengthen the brand
positioning of Indian textiles in the UK. It reaffirms India’s commitment to being a trusted and sustainable
global textile partner, while working towards the ambitious target of doubling textile exports by 2030.
***
MAM/AK/SMP
(Release ID: 2170236)