← Concept Library · International Relations
International Relations GS 2 In the news 3 times

India's Textile and Apparel Export Sector

India is the world's second-largest textile producer and sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel. The sector employs over 45 million workers directly and 100 million in allied activities, making it the second-largest employer after agriculture. India's share in the $80 billion US apparel import market rose from about 5% to nearly 7% over the past two years, with the US accounting for 28-29% of India's total textile exports.

Key details
  • India's textile exports to the US: approximately $10.5 billion (30% of total textile and apparel shipments)
  • India supplied roughly 6% of US apparel imports in 2024, amounting to $4.8 billion
  • Bangladesh exports approximately $44 billion in garments globally, of which 80% ($35 billion) are cotton garments
  • Bangladesh's structural weakness: domestic spinning and fabric capacity can support only $3-4 billion, creating dependence on imported inputs
  • India retains a competitive advantage in integrated manufacturing (spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment-making)
In the news

Tracked since February 15, 2026 · last seen March 31, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

See it in today’s brief. Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief