NHDP supports artisans and weavers while the Ministry of Textiles drives global expansion through a comprehensive country-market diversification strategy aimed at identifying high-potential destinations for Indian textile exports. The initiative focuses on structured and targeted outreach in these markets through coordinated efforts of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry delegations, and Indian Missions abroad, with the goal of reducing market concentration risks and building a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable global footprint for the Indian textile industry.
Under this initiative, Nodal Officers from the Ministry have been assigned for the target countries, which have been grouped into different geographic blocs. In addition, Nodal Officers from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) have also been associated with the initiative to provide design, product adaptation, and market-oriented support. The Ministry is actively coordinating with Indian Embassies/Missions in the focus countries to reinforce diplomatic engagement and trade facilitation efforts in support of textile exports.
As part of this strategy, the Ministry has, during the current year, deputed delegations to several identified countries for the promotion of Indian textile products, supporting artisans and weavers, in coordination with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Indian Missions abroad. Further, structured support is provided under the Market Access Support (MAS) component of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) for activities abroad, including in the identified countries, such as Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), trade fairs, exhibitions, and other related market access initiatives, with a view to strengthening India’s access to international markets while continuing to support artisans and weavers.
In addition, India has signed 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and several of the identified focus countries are already covered under these agreements. These include Australia, the UAE, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Further, several countries covered under the focused initiative are members of the European Union, with which India has recently concluded FTA negotiations.
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles implements two schemes, namely the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), for the overall development and promotion of the handicrafts sector across the country, where NHDP supports artisans and weavers. International Marketing Events are organized in India and abroad under the Marketing Support and Services (MSS) component of the NHDP scheme to promote exports of handicrafts and strengthen global branding. Support is provided to eligible organizations for organizing and participating in international fairs, conducting International Craft Exposure Programmes, Buyer-Seller Meets & Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets, fairs/exhibitions/events on virtual platforms, roadshows, and implementing overseas awareness campaigns to promote Indian handicrafts.
In addition, awardee artisans and exporters of handicraft are nominated to participate in these international marketing events, enabling them to directly access global markets, showcase their craftsmanship, and build international buyer linkages. The financial support under the MSS component of the NHDP scheme, provides for space rent, infrastructure facilities, publicity of events, TA/DA and freight charges for participating artisans in events organized in India. Boarding/lodging charges is also provided to the artisans nominated for participation in international marketing events.
The Ministry of Textiles is administering National Handloom Development Programme to provide specific support to handloom weavers across the country. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/workers for procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, product diversification & design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, publicity and brand development through India Handloom Brand (IHB), Handloom Mark (HLM) and GI tag, e-commerce facilities, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etc
During the current cotton season 2025-26, to ensure adequate availability of cotton to the domestic textile industry, the Government of India had exempted the import duty on cotton under tariff heading 5201 from 19.08.2025 to 31.12.2025 vide Notification No. 35/2025-Customs dated 18.08.2025 and Notification No. 36/2025-Customs dated 28.08.2025 issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance to ensure sufficient availability of quality raw material. The Import duty (including 5% Customs Duty, 5% AIDC, and 10% Cess) is again applicable after 31.12.2025. Further, to ensure adequate supply & reduced input costs, the Ministry of Textiles provides transport subsidy for transportation of yarn to the doorstep of the beneficiaries and 15% Price Subsidy on Cotton Hank yarn etc. under the Raw Material supply Scheme.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER FOR TEXTILES GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
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