【Srinagar/Mum】India-EU FTA to Revive Kashmir’s Handicraft and Carpet Industry, Open Export Doors: Experts

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Editor’s Note

This article highlights the potential boost for Kashmir’s handicraft and carpet exports under a prospective India-EU Free Trade Agreement, as emphasized by industry experts.

भारत-ईयू एफटीए से हैंडीक्राफ्ट और कालीन उद्योग को मिलेगा बढ़ावा : एक्सपर्ट्स
Experts Highlight Export Opportunities

Srinagar/Mumbai, January 28.

Europe is the largest market for Kashmir’s handicraft and carpet industry. In this context, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will increase export opportunities for Kashmir’s handicraft and carpet industry. This information was provided by experts on Wednesday.

“The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is quite positive. Europe is the largest market for Kashmir’s handicraft and carpet industry. Therefore, this agreement will increase opportunities for exporters from Kashmir,” said Sheikh Ashiq, a member of the administrative committee of the Carpet Export Promotion Council, in an interview with news agency IANS.
Boost for Labor-Intensive Industries

Discussing the India-EU FTA with news agency IANS, Anil Rajvanshi, Director of textile company Alok Industries, said:

“This is a very good agreement for the country. It will provide an opportunity to increase exports to Europe for leather, textiles, and more labor-intensive industries.”

He further stated that this agreement gives Indian exporters direct access to the markets of 27 European countries, which have a combined market size of over $20 trillion. For this reason, the India-EU deal has been called the ‘Mother of All Deals’.

Rajvanshi noted that more bilateral agreements have been signed in the last 10 years than in the previous 40 years. He expressed hope that India will also sign similar agreements with the United States in the coming time.

A Major Achievement for India

Earlier, in an interview with IANS, Himanshu Vaish, MD and CEO of Poly Medicure, said:

“The Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union (EU) is a very significant achievement for the country. It has simultaneously opened the markets of 27 European countries for Indian exporters. Additionally, it will help India compete in European markets against countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.”
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⏰ Published on: January 28, 2026