Jidesh Kumar on India-EU Trade Deal: Textile Sector Stands to Gain from Tariff Parity and Legal Certainty
Commenting on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Jidesh Kumar highlighted that the proposed trade deal could be a significant boost for India’s textile and apparel sector, one of the country’s most employment-intensive industries.
Jidesh noted that the textile chapter of the India–EU FTA addresses a long-standing imbalance in market access that has historically constrained Indian exporters. He pointed out that Indian textile and apparel exports currently face EU tariffs of up to 12%, while competing countries benefit from preferential tariff regimes under existing EU trade agreements, placing Indian manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.
According to him, a rules-based elimination of tariffs under the FTA would help restore competitive neutrality for Indian exporters in the European market. He further observed that such a framework would not only enhance price competitiveness but also provide long-term legal certainty to investors and global buyers, enabling more predictable supply chains and sustained investment decisions.
He added that improved market access under the FTA could strengthen India’s position as a reliable sourcing destination for textiles and apparel, while supporting employment generation and export growth in the sector.
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