India and Saudi Arabia are deepening cooperation in the textile sector, exploring new strategies to expand production capacities, trade volumes, and joint industrial initiatives, according to a statement from the Indian Ministry of Textiles on Tuesday.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Khalil ibn Salamah, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, and Neelam Shami Rao, India’s Textile Secretary. Both sides identified priority areas for collaboration, including ready-made garments, technical textiles, man-made fibres, carpets, handlooms, and handicrafts.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Industrial Synergies
India currently ranks as the second-largest supplier to Saudi Arabia’s textile and apparel market, with exports valued at USD 517.5 million in 2024, representing 11.2% of Saudi Arabia’s total textile and apparel imports.
The talks emphasized the potential for Saudi investment in India’s ready-made garment sector, which remains a key driver of both employment generation and export growth. The dialogue also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in leveraging India’s expertise in textile design, manufacturing, and workforce training.
Shared Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
The Ministry noted that both nations recognized the importance of promoting sustainability across traditional sectors such as handloom, handicrafts, and carpets, which not only reflect India’s rich cultural heritage but also align with global trends toward eco-friendly and ethically produced products.
A major outcome of the meeting was the shared acknowledgment of Saudi Arabia’s strengths in petrochemical-based industries and India’s growing capacity in man-made fibres and technical textiles. These complementary advantages are expected to serve as the foundation for future trade and technology collaboration, particularly in areas of raw material sourcing, product innovation, and technology transfer.
Building a Long-Term Strategic Textile Partnership
Both India and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to building a sustainable, innovation-driven partnership that enhances industrial cooperation and trade diversification. The initiative reflects a shared vision to advance textile sector growth across both traditional and modern manufacturing segments, reinforcing the strategic economic ties between New Delhi and Riyadh.
