The landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement is set to reshape India’s export landscape, injecting fresh momentum into textiles, pharma-linked industries, chemicals, and gems & jewelry. Industry leaders foresee a surge in employment and market access, cementing India’s status as a long-term sourcing hub.
Annual EU textile imports hit $250 billion, but India claims less than 10%, overshadowed by duty-free rivals from neighboring regions exporting $30-40 billion. Bhadesh Dodhiya of Dodhiya Synthetics emphasizes how global instability makes India an ideal stable supplier.
“PM Modi’s commerce initiatives have unlocked doors, yet we must meet EU benchmarks,” he notes. His company, specializing in recycled plastics and textile inputs, eyes growth beyond its current 20% Europe-dependent exports. Sustainability—Europe’s non-negotiable—aligns with India’s circular economy potential, amplified by Atmanirbhar Bharat for MSMEs.
India’s strengths shine: robust democracy, youthful talent, and a massive home market draw investors. Dodhiya dubs this FTA historic, propelling India’s green manufacturing ethos.
Turning to jewelry, ACPL Exports’ Rohit Gupta celebrates it as a sector milestone. Labor-heavy handmade jewelry will spawn jobs, with exports targeting EU’s vast 27-country bloc. Cities like Jaipur, famed for gems, can hub-manufacture using duty-free imports, outpacing old centers in Eastern Europe.
High-end destinations—Italy, France, Germany, Scandinavia—await India’s blend of affordability, innovation, and artisanal skill. This deal arrives at a pivotal moment, fortifying bilateral ties and India’s global trade prowess amid worldwide flux.
