The UKITMC is designed as a long-term platform to connect Indian textile manufacturers with advanced UK machinery and technology providers. It aims to facilitate technology transfer, encourage joint partnerships, and accelerate the adoption of automation, digitalisation, and sustainable manufacturing practices across India’s textile value chain.

India’s textile and apparel industry is targeting a market size of $350 billion by 2030, supported by policy initiatives such as the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for technical textiles. With around 53 per cent of Indian mills planning machinery upgrades within the next one to three years, access to advanced and reliable technology is becoming increasingly critical. The coalition seeks to address this need by enabling informed investment decisions and strengthening industry capabilities.

Speaking at the launch, Vrunda Desai highlighted the importance of global partnerships in supporting India’s modernisation journey. She noted that initiatives such as UKITMC align closely with the government’s focus on enhancing productivity, sustainability, and export competitiveness.

Mark Birrell, Trade Counsellor for South Asia, DBT, emphasised the growing importance of the UK–India trade relationship, particularly in the context of the expected implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this year. He noted that zero-duty access on key UK textile machinery imports creates a strong foundation for deeper collaboration and technology exchange.

Jason Kent, CEO of BTMA, described the coalition as a practical step towards building long-term industry linkages. He stated that UK machinery is globally recognised for precision, consistency, and performance, and the coalition would enable Indian manufacturers to leverage these strengths as they move towards higher-value production.

Ketan Sanghvi, Chairman of India ITME Society, added that the initiative complements India’s broader push towards modern, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing. He highlighted that the coalition would help bridge the gap between technology availability and industry adoption.

Amol Monga, Director of Strayfield Ltd, shared his perspective as an Indian-origin leader of a British textile technology company, highlighting the opportunities for deeper industrial collaboration between the UK and India and the growing demand for advanced machinery solutions in the Indian market.

Meanwhile, Mark Jarvis, Chief Strategy Officer at Fibre2Fashion, spoke about the rationale behind the launch of UKITMC, emphasising the need for a structured platform that can connect technology providers, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to accelerate innovation, modernisation and sustainable growth across the textile machinery ecosystem.

The platform will offer multiple engagement formats, including technical webinars, trade delegations, exhibitions, and industry forums, providing stakeholders with opportunities to exchange knowledge, evaluate technologies, and build strategic relationships. It will also promote collaboration around energy-efficient machinery and circular textile solutions, aligning with global sustainability goals.

The launch of UKITMC comes ahead of India ITME 2026, one of the world’s leading textile engineering exhibitions, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for industry collaboration and innovation. By creating a structured framework for engagement, the coalition is expected to support India’s transition towards future-ready manufacturing while strengthening bilateral trade ties between the UK and India.