Vietnam - India: Growing opportunities for integrated textile industrial parks

Amid the ongoing restructuring of the global textile supply chain, Vietnam and India are emerging as two key manufacturing hubs with strong complementarities and significant potential for strategic cooperation. Strengthening value chain linkages, particularly through the development of integrated textile industrial parks in India, is being viewed as a new direction to enhance competitiveness and value addition for both countries.

Industry data show that in 2025, Vietnam’s textile and garment exports are estimated at around USD 46 billion, maintaining its position among the world’s top three exporters. Meanwhile, India recorded export turnover of approximately USD 37 - 38 billion, with a domestic market valued at USD 180 billion and ambitions for further strong expansion in the coming years. Both countries play important roles in the global supply chain, albeit with different strengths: India stands out in raw materials such as cotton, natural fibers and dyeing, while Vietnam holds advantages in manufacturing, exports and deep integration through free trade agreements.

At an online seminar themed “enhancing connectivity, promoting cooperation and innovation in the Vietnam - India textile and footwear industries”, organized by the Vietnam Trade Office in India on April 22, 2026, one of the notable cooperation initiatives discussed was the potential establishment of Vietnam - India textile industrial parks within the framework of India’s PM MITRA Parks, large-scale integrated textile and apparel industrial zones. This model integrates the entire value chain from spinning and weaving to dyeing and garment production, with synchronized infrastructure and strong policy incentives to attract both domestic and foreign investment.

Vietnamese enterprises’ participation in PM MITRA Parks would enable direct access to abundant raw material sources, reduce logistics costs and enhance compliance with rules of origin under trade agreements. At the same time, this model facilitates the formation of closed-loop supply chains, strengthens production linkages and promotes technology transfer between the two countries.

One of the key platforms to advance cooperation is Bharat Tex 2026, scheduled to take place from July 14 to 17, 2026 in New Delhi, India. Vardhman Jain, a representative of the organizing committee, said Bharat Tex is positioned as a global platform connecting the entire textile ecosystem from fibers to fashion, offering opportunities for international enterprises to invest, source materials and expand partnerships.

He emphasized that, amid global geopolitical uncertainties, India is asserting its role as a “stable and reliable partner”, while inviting Vietnam to participate at an official scale, including ministerial-level delegations and leading industry experts. According to him, deeper engagement by Vietnam in Bharat Tex would open up significant opportunities for enterprises to access the Indian market, connect with partners and promote cooperation across the entire value chain.

Bharat Tex 2026 is expected to host more than 100 discussion sessions, including 30 - 40 key sessions focusing on technological innovation, sustainable supply chains and global market trends. The organizers particularly encourage Vietnamese enterprises and experts to participate, aiming to share experiences, production capabilities and innovation in Vietnam’s textile industry.

From an investment perspective, Aditya Das, a representative of Invest India, noted that India is accelerating efforts to attract investment in textiles, garments and supporting industries, supported by a range of policies to foster production and develop an industrial ecosystem. He affirmed that Invest India stands ready to support Vietnamese enterprises in implementing investment projects in India, leveraging advantages in raw materials, technology, market scale and production networks of both sides.

Speaking at the event, Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counselor at the Vietnam Trade Office in India, stressed that Vietnam and India are not competitors but complementary partners in the textile value chain. He noted that strengthening business connectivity, promoting bilateral investment and participating in cooperation platforms such as Bharat Tex and PM MITRA Parks would contribute to building a more sustainable, flexible and resilient supply chain amid global fluctuations.

In the long term, combining the strengths of both countries, from raw materials and production to markets, together with enhanced innovation and sustainable development, will provide a solid foundation for Vietnam and India to elevate their positions in the global textile value chain.