A high-level delegation led by Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), along with senior representatives from leading textile and garment associations across India, met Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, on 11 February 2026.
The delegation comprised nearly 45 members representing ten prominent textile and apparel industry associations, including export bodies from New Delhi, Tiruppur, Jaipur, and southern India.
During the meeting, Shri Piyush Goyal emphasised that India has entered into Free Trade Agreements with approximately 38 countries, including a significant interim trade arrangement with the United States. He indicated that a formal agreement with the US is expected to be finalised shortly and noted that tariff benefits comparable to those extended to Bangladesh’s textile sector are likely to be made available to India as well.
The Hon’ble Minister urged industry stakeholders to actively leverage the opportunities arising from these FTAs and ensure that the advantages are realised across the entire textile and apparel value chain nationwide.
Industry representatives reaffirmed their commitment to maximising the benefits of these trade agreements and acknowledged Shri Goyal’s leadership in strengthening India’s global trade framework.
Dr. A. Sakthivel expressed appreciation for the government’s proactive trade initiatives, highlighting the successful conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which he described as the “mother of all deals,” and the interim trade agreement with the United States, referred to as the “father of all deals.” He noted that India now has FTAs covering economies accounting for nearly 70 percent of global GDP, a development expected to significantly enhance apparel exports and generate substantial employment opportunities across the sector.
