On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the progress in the textile sector and expressed confidence that India will surpass the ₹9 lakh crore annual export target well before the 2030 deadline.
Bharat Tex, being held in New Delhi from February 14-17, is the textile industry’s largest event comprising a mega expo spread across two venues and showcasing the entire textile ecosystem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developments in the textile sector, asserting his belief that India will exceed the 2030 target and achieve an annual export goal of ₹9 lakh crore.
This assertion is underscored by the announcement of a five-year Cotton Mission aimed at enhancing cotton productivity, particularly for extra-long staple varieties, as outlined in the General Budget 2025. The National Cotton Technology Mission has been allocated approximately US $60 million.
During his address at Bharat Tex 2025, Modi highlighted that India currently ranks as the sixth-largest exporter of clothing and textiles globally, with exports valued at around US $36 billion. He expressed a vision to triple this figure, aiming for US $108 billion in exports in the future.
With the global market for recycled textiles projected to reach US $7.5 billion, he anticipates that India’s textile recycling sector could achieve a value of US $400 million in the coming years. He emphasized that India could enhance its market share by pursuing the right strategies.
Modi noted that the country’s clothing and textile exports have experienced a growth rate of 7 percent, attributing this achievement to the dedicated efforts and consistent policies implemented over the past decade, which have resulted in a doubling of foreign investment in the textile sector.
Regarding the Cotton Productivity Mission announced in the Budget, he stated that it aims to enhance the value chain, ensure the global competitiveness of Indian cotton, and establish a reliable cotton supply.
He also mentioned that India is making strides in the production of high-quality carbon fiber.
Furthermore, Modi urged banking sector officials to understand the priorities and requirements of the textile industry and to extend their support accordingly.
In addition to encouraging collaboration between the textile industry and esteemed institutions such as IITs for the development of new technologies, Modi indicated that necessary policy measures are being implemented to foster the growth of the textile sector, citing the Budget’s provisions related to MSMEs as an example.
The announcement of a five-year Cotton Mission aimed at enhancing the productivity of cotton, particularly extra-long staple varieties, holds considerable importance in light of the General Budget 2025. A budget allocation of ₹500 crore has been designated for the National Cotton Technology Mission.
During his address at Bharat Tex 2025, Prime Minister Modi stated, “India currently ranks as the sixth largest exporter of textiles and apparel globally, with textile exports valued at approximately ₹3 lakh crore. Our objective is to triple this amount, targeting exports worth ₹9 lakh crore.”
He attributed this achievement to the diligent efforts and stable policies enacted over the past decade, which have resulted in a doubling of foreign investment in the textile sector during this timeframe. “While I mention 2030, the enthusiasm I observed at the exhibition today leads me to believe that you may surpass my projections,” he remarked, expressing confidence that the textiles export target could be met before 2030.
Furthermore, he estimated that India’s textile recycling market could reach $400 million in the coming years, while the global recycled textile market is projected to reach $7.5 billion. He emphasized that with appropriate guidance, India could secure a more substantial share of the market.
The Prime Minister noted that the textile and apparel exports of the country have experienced a growth rate of 7%. This success is a result of the hard work and consistent policies implemented over the past decade, which have led to a doubling of foreign investment in the textile sector during this period.
The textile sector is a significant source of employment and contributes 11% to the manufacturing industry. He underscored the necessity for optimal resource utilization and minimal waste generation within the industry, stating, “According to an analysis, by 2030, fashion waste is anticipated to reach 148 million tonnes. Currently, one-fourth of textile waste is not being recycled.”