Reacting to the India–US Joint Statement on the landmark trade agreement, Dr A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), has welcomed the development as a defining moment for India’s textile and apparel industry.
Speaking on behalf of the entire textile and apparel sector, Dr Sakthivel expressed his deep appreciation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership and to the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, for his sustained and focused efforts in successfully concluding the trade agreement with the United States. He noted that the agreement reflects India’s growing strategic and economic importance in global trade.
According to Dr Sakthivel, the India–US trade agreement marks a historic milestone for the textile and apparel value chain, opening up unprecedented opportunities across fibres, yarns, fabrics, garments and value-added products. He emphasised that the coming decade is well-positioned to become India’s decade in the textile trade, as the country increasingly emerges as one of the most preferred and reliable sourcing destinations for global buyers.
One of the most significant outcomes of the agreement, he said, is its potential to generate large-scale employment, particularly benefiting women workers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of India’s apparel manufacturing ecosystem. In addition, farmers in rural India are expected to gain from increased demand for natural fibres, reinforcing inclusive and sustainable growth across the sector.
Dr Sakthivel also highlighted that tariff eliminations and enhanced market access under the agreement will substantially improve the global competitiveness of Indian textiles and apparel. By reducing cost disadvantages and improving price parity, Indian manufacturers will be better positioned to expand their footprint in the US market and strengthen long-term buyer relationships.
Equally important, he noted, is the agreement’s role in addressing non-tariff barriers. Streamlining compliance requirements and reducing procedural delays will enable faster movement of goods, improve supply chain efficiency and enhance India’s reputation as a dependable sourcing hub.
Summing up the industry’s sentiment, Dr Sakthivel stated that the India–US trade agreement is set to usher in a golden era for India’s textile and apparel sector, driven by stronger global integration, employment generation and sustained export growth.
