Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underlined the growing importance of technical textiles within India’s footwear industry, describing them as a deeply embedded yet often under-recognized component of the sector. Referring to an article by Union Minister Giriraj Singh, the Prime Minister highlighted that technical textiles are no longer a developing concept but are already actively integrated into footwear manufacturing processes across the country.
According to the Prime Minister, the next important step is to formally recognize, organize, and scale this integration so that the footwear sector becomes a more structured part of the broader technical textiles ecosystem. He emphasized that such a move could help strengthen innovation, improve product performance, and enhance India’s export potential in global markets.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh echoed this perspective, stating that technical textiles are becoming essential drivers of growth in the footwear industry. He noted that combining innovation with sustainability and India’s strong manufacturing base could help the country move toward a more prominent position in the global value chain. He added that under the leadership of PM Modi, India has the opportunity to scale its footwear sector globally through structured development and advanced material integration.
The minister further highlighted that consumer demand is shifting rapidly toward footwear that offers greater comfort, durability, breathability, and performance. These evolving expectations are pushing manufacturers to adopt advanced materials, many of which fall under the category of technical textiles. He pointed out that although the industry already uses such materials extensively, they are often not formally identified as part of this specialized segment.
Giriraj Singh also noted that India, despite being one of the world’s largest producers of footwear, still holds a relatively small share in global exports. He attributed this gap not to production capacity, but to the need for greater focus on materials science, design innovation, and performance-oriented manufacturing.
He shared observations from visits to manufacturing units in Agra, where producers were already using advanced materials that improved comfort and flexibility, even if they did not categorize them as technical textiles. Similarly, discussions with industry representatives in Delhi revealed that features like lightweight design, cushioning, and durability are no longer premium attributes but standard expectations in modern footwear.
Officials from the textiles department also emphasized that the footwear sector is already significantly reliant on technical textiles, even without formal recognition. The overall discussion highlighted a clear opportunity for India to better integrate this segment, unlocking higher export potential, creating skilled employment, and strengthening its position in global manufacturing networks.
