In a significant move to bolster textile trade relations between India and Turkey, Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, led a high-level Indian textile delegation to Turkey. The visit took place alongside the Istanbul Roadshow, held on October 15, 2024, showcasing India’s growing influence in the global textile industry.

The delegation included senior industry representatives, such as Bhadresh Dodhia, Chairman of MATEXIL (Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council), Sunil Patwari, Chairman of TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council), and K. Sakthivel, Vice Chairman of PDEXCIL (Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council). Navdeep Singh Sodhi from Gherzi Organisation served as the knowledge partner for this initiative, contributing expert insights into global textile trends and opportunities.

Strategic Meetings and Collaborative Discussions

The Indian delegation engaged in strategic discussions with key Turkish trade bodies and chambers during their visit, paving the way for future collaboration and trade expansion. Meetings were held with:

• BTSO (Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
• MÜSİAD (Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association)
• TGSD (Türkiye Giyim Sanayicileri Derneği, Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association)
• Türkiye Exporters Assembly (Türkiye İhracatçılar Meclisi)
• İTKİB (İstanbul Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon İhracatçı Birlikleri Genel Sekreterliği)
• TETSİAD (Türkiye Ev Tekstili Sanayicileri ve İşadamları Derneği, Turkish Home Textile Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association)

These discussions were focused on expanding trade between India and Turkey in key textile sectors, including man-made fibers, cotton textiles, technical textiles, and home textiles. The meetings emphasized enhancing cooperation through knowledge-sharing, technology transfer, and participation in upcoming trade exhibitions.

Key Highlights: Istanbul Roadshow

A central highlight of the delegation’s visit was the Istanbul Roadshow, held on October 15, 2024. The event showcased the best of India’s textile capabilities, from cotton and man-made fibers to technical textiles. The roadshow provided a platform for Turkish and Indian textile companies to explore partnership opportunities and discuss the latest innovations in textile technology.

The roadshow also served as a precursor to BharatTex2025, a major upcoming textile event that aims to further boost trade relations and showcase India’s advancements in sustainable textile production.

Strengthening Bilateral Trade Through BharatTex2025

One of the key outcomes of the discussions was a commitment to greater participation in BharatTex2025, a flagship initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation between India and Turkey. The event will serve as a significant platform for Indian and Turkish businesses to collaborate and explore synergies in the global textile market.

A Step Forward in Indo-Turkish Textile Collaboration

The meetings and roadshow in Istanbul represent an important step in strengthening trade relations between India and Turkey, particularly in the textile sector. Both nations have expressed a keen interest in working together to explore new avenues for growth and innovation in textiles, supported by government and industry bodies from both sides.

As a result of these successful engagements, the textile industries in both India and Turkey are expected to benefit from increased trade, improved technological exchange, and stronger bilateral cooperation in the years to come.