Highlighting the textile sector's role as India's second-largest employer, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan called for a strategic push toward Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and factory modernization to secure India's position as a global fashion powerhouse.
Speaking at the AEPC Excellence Honours held at Hotel ITC Maurya on Saturday, the Vice President presented awards to 27 companies for outstanding export performance. Harish Ahuja of Shahi Exports Private Ltd. was the evening's top honoree, receiving the gold trophy as the Global Export Champion for 2023-24-25.
Resilience amid global headwinds
Despite a volatile global economy, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) reported a 10% growth in exports for the 2024–25 period. November 2025 alone saw an 11.3% jump over the previous year, bringing cumulative Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports for April–November to $10.08 billion.
"Textiles offer a much better return per dollar investment and are critical for economic growth," the Vice President stated. He emphasized that FTAs are essential to provide Indian exporters a "level-playing field" against competitors like Bangladesh.
The road to $40 bn
The Indian government has set an ambitious target of $40 billion in apparel exports by 2030, part of a larger $350 billion textile market goal. Vice President Radhakrishnan credited initiatives like the PM MITRA Parks and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for creating a future-ready ecosystem.
AEPC Chairman Sudhir Sekhri noted that while geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions remain challenges, the industry’s shift toward sustainability and ethical sourcing is strengthening "Brand India."
The event also saw the launch of “Threads of Time: Story of India’s Textile,” a coffee table book chronicling the nation’s journey from ancient looms to modern global leadership.
