New Delhi: India has an opportunity to build globally recognised textile and lifestyle brands by leveraging quality, sustainability, heritage and craftsmanship, textiles minister Giriraj Singh said at Bharat Tex 2026 on Thursday.

He said the annual textile event provides artisans and weavers with a platform to showcase their craftsmanship, connect with international buyers and create sustainable livelihoods.

India's textile and apparel exports reached around ₹3.16 lakh crore in 2025-26, and the sector is targeting exports of ₹9 lakh crore by 2030.

Speaking at the session on 'Indian Brands, Global Ambitions: Redefining Retail Growth Beyond Borders', textiles secretary Neelam Shami Rao said India needs stronger designer houses, shared infrastructure and greater e-commerce visibility, adding that building global brands is a long-term effort.

E-commerce leaders said marketplaces and omnichannel strategies will play a key role in helping Indian brands expand overseas. Manufacturers highlighted the need to strengthen India's production ecosystem, supply chains and global competitiveness. Speakers identified sustainability as a key enabler for accessing global markets and called for greater collaboration between large exporters and designers to combine manufacturing scale with creativity.