New Delhi, Delhi, 20th of March 2026 : The Union Minister for Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, undertook an official visit to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to review the progress and potential of key sectors including carpets, handicrafts, footwear, and technical textiles. The visit focused on promoting sustainability, innovation, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness in these sectors.
During the visit, the Minister toured a carpet manufacturing facility and reviewed sustainable production practices being adopted by the industry. These included the use of vegetable dyes, organic wool, and environmentally friendly processes, aligning the sector with international quality and sustainability standards.
Shri Giriraj Singh also interacted with stakeholders from the carpet industry, including exporters and designers. Discussions centred on emerging global design trends, the growing importance of sustainable and alternative fibres such as banana fibre, and strengthening the global positioning of the “India Handmade” brand. The Minister emphasized the role of indigenous trend forecasting tools such as Vision NXT in enhancing design capabilities and improving export competitiveness.
Subsequently, the Minister visited a footwear manufacturing unit, where he reviewed advancements in the sector. He noted that the integration of technical textiles is significantly improving product quality and export potential. He also appreciated the role of young professionals in driving innovation in the footwear industry.
A stakeholder meeting was held with representatives from the footwear industry, technical textiles sector, and allied industries. Key issues discussed included:
- Leveraging technical textiles in footwear manufacturing
- Expanding the use of AI and advanced technologies in production and design
- Strengthening product innovation and design capabilities
- Facilitating the shift towards high-end, export-oriented footwear
- Developing a strategic roadmap to enhance India’s share in the global footwear market
- Promoting awareness and adoption of technical textiles in the sector
The Minister highlighted that technical textiles will play a pivotal role in transforming India’s footwear industry into a high-value, design-driven, and globally competitive sector. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting both traditional industries such as carpets and handicrafts, and emerging sectors like technical textiles.
The visit also included a handicrafts exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of local artisans.
Overall, the visit reaffirmed the importance of sustainability, innovation, technological adoption, and collaborative stakeholder engagement in strengthening India’s textile and allied sectors and enhancing their global competitiveness.
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