India for no tariffs on textile, apparel in EU free trade deal

EU nations impose 10-12% import duties on textile products, placing India at a disadvantage

- Dhirendra Kumar

India is advocating for labour-intensive textiles and apparel products to be classified as non-tariff items in the ongoing negotiations for a freetrade agreement (FTA) with the European Union.

EU nations impose higher import duties, typically ranging 10-12%, on textile products, placing India at a disadvantage compared to China, the EU's leading supplier of apparel and textiles, said two people seeking anonymity.

The seventh round of negotiations with the 27-nation bloc, which started on 19 February, is significant for the Indian textiles and apparel sector, considering that the EU, the US and West Asian countries, are the major export destinations for Indian garments.

"The issue of bringing textiles under the non-tariff barrier category was prominently raised during the seventh round of discussions. The talks are still on, and we are positive about it," the first person said.