India has a strong domestic presence, making it’s the world’s biggest textile market with 1.4 million consumers, said Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles at a convocation ceremony at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Bhopal. He made this statement amid concerns over steep tariffs imposed by the US on Indian textile products.
While the country consumes a large quantity of its own products, the government is now focusing on promoting ‘swadeshi,’ or locally made goods, he noted.
India has been a leader in textiles for centuries and continues to progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is a top exporter of apparel and other textile products, with 19 National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campuses playing a crucial role, he highlighted.
NIFT provides specialized courses and training to students who are expected to contribute to the textile industry's future, Margherita stated. These students are being encouraged to support local products first and help them gain a global presence, he added.
