India’s textile industry can no longer attribute weak export performance to tariff disadvantages, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, urging exporters to focus on competitiveness, scale, quality and reliability.
Speaking at a national workshop on ‘Leveraging FTAs: An Outreach Programme’ in New Delhi, Goyal said India’s trade position in major developed markets has improved significantly, with Indian goods now receiving tariff rates comparable to, or in some cases lower than, those faced by key competitors such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.
For years, Indian textile exporters faced higher duties in several markets, while Bangladesh benefited from its Least Developed Country status and Vietnam gained from a wide network of free trade agreements. Goyal said recent Indian trade agreements have narrowed these gaps, reducing the tariff disadvantage faced by domestic exporters.
“We have no more excuses left except performance. The ball is now entirely in our court,” Goyal said.
The minister said India has signed nine FTAs covering economies with a combined GDP of around US $60 trillion and providing preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global trade. Ongoing negotiations and reviews could expand this access to around 75% of global trade.
India is also pursuing trade agreements with Canada, Mexico, Chile, Mercosur, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Israel and other markets, while existing agreements with countries including the UAE, Australia, the UK and EFTA are already operational.
Goyal called for greater awareness of FTAs among MSMEs, traders, startups and exporters across all 780 districts, enabling businesses to understand tariff benefits and product eligibility.
For the textile sector, the government’s message is clear: improved market access must now translate into stronger export performance through competitive pricing, consistent quality, faster delivery, efficient supply chains and greater participation in global value chains.
