STITCHING INDIA'S APPAREL EXPORT STRATEGY FROM FARM TO FOREIGN

From Farm to Foreign

SULAKSHANA RAO | ASHOK GULATI | ROHIT KANSAL

Stitching India’s Apparel Export Strategy: From Farm to Foreign

Edited by Sulakshana Rao, Ashok Gulati and Rohit Kansal

India’s apparel export share has remained close to 3 per cent for nearly two decades, even as countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam have rapidly expanded their presence in global markets. India has also struggled to fully benefit from the emerging “China Plus One” sourcing strategy adopted by international brands.

Stitching India’s Apparel Export Strategy: From Farm to Foreign examines the reasons behind this stagnation and presents a practical roadmap for strengthening India’s apparel export competitiveness.

Following the Government of India’s 5F vision—Farm, Fibre, Factory, Fashion and Foreign—the book analyses gaps across cotton production, yarn, fabric, manufacturing, technology, sustainability, skills and global market access. It benchmarks India against major apparel-exporting countries, including China, Bangladesh and Vietnam, across five key pillars of export competitiveness.

Drawing upon successful Indian industry examples and extensive policy research, the book outlines the reforms and institutional capabilities required for India to achieve apparel exports worth USD 100 billion by 2030.

Key Features

• Examines why India’s share in global apparel exports has remained stagnant.
• Analyses the complete textile and apparel value chain through the 5F framework.
• Benchmarks India against China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
• Explores competitiveness, technology, sustainability, skills and trade policy.
• Presents a reform roadmap for achieving USD 100 billion in apparel exports by 2030.
• Includes insights relevant to policymakers, exporters, industry professionals, researchers and students.

About the Editors

Sulakshana Rao is a Senior Fellow at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). Her research interests include the textiles and apparel sector, agricultural trade policy, export strategy and agri-food systems. She is a DST INSPIRE Fellow and holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Ashok Gulati is Distinguished Professor at ICRIER and former Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Government of India. He has authored or edited 22 books on Indian and Asian agriculture and has published numerous research papers in national and international journals.

Rohit Kansal is a senior Indian Administrative Service officer and public policy leader with more than three decades of experience in economic governance, industrial development, trade, sustainability and public administration. He has played a leading role in shaping India’s ESG agenda for the textiles sector.

Product Details

Publisher: 

Date : 2026

Editors: Sulakshana Rao, Ashok Gulati and Rohit Kansal

Availability: Open Access