US tariffs: Duty-free cotton to boost exports; 'make Indian textiles more competitive' says ministry

India's textile sector receives a boost as the government extends the import duty exemption on cotton until December 2025. This move aims to enhance competitiveness in global markets, revive orders for SMEs and export units, and stabilize raw material costs across the textile value chain. The decision is expected to safeguard employment and indirectly benefit cotton farmers through better prices.