India is preparing an ambitious cost roadmap to restore its leadership in the global textile market, setting its sights on regaining competitiveness against Bangladesh, Vietnam and China. The initiative, driven by the Ministry of Textiles, aims to address structural inefficiencies and bring down the overall cost of textile production and exports through a well-defined short, medium and long-term strategy.

The roadmap will map out the entire cost structure of the Indian textile value chain from raw material procurement and logistics to power tariffs, compliances and taxation. In the short term, the plan will target immediate relief through policy interventions that reduce operational bottlenecks and ease financial burdens on exporters. Over the medium and long term, the focus will shift towards deep-rooted reforms, including infrastructure modernization, energy efficiency, and supply chain digitization.

Officials believe that a clear cost benchmarking framework is essential to align India’s textile manufacturing with international standards. While Bangladesh and Vietnam benefit from lower labor costs and trade agreements, India’s strength lies in its vast Fiber base, integrated value chain, and technological capacity. The roadmap aims to convert these strengths into measurable cost advantages through improved efficiency, rationalized taxation, and targeted incentives.

In parallel, the government is expected to emphasize research and innovation in new materials, circular textiles and green manufacturing practices. These initiatives will not only help India compete on price but also position it as a sustainable sourcing destination for global brands.

By combining cost rationalization with long-term innovation, India is setting the stage for a stronger, more competitive, and future-ready textile industry capable of reclaiming its edge in the global apparel and textile trade.