Textile and apparel sector can emerge as a powerful bridge connecting BRICS economies through trade, investment, sustainable manufacturing and resilient supply chains

New Delhi, September 15, 2026: The conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026 marks an important moment for India to translate its growing strategic engagement with the Global South into tangible economic outcomes across exports, investment, technology partnerships and resilient global supply chains.

Held under India’s Presidency with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the Summit has reinforced BRICS’ evolution from a platform for strategic dialogue into an increasingly important architecture for economic cooperation.

For Indian industry, the opportunity now lies in converting this political momentum into greater market access, diversified export destinations, stronger investment flows, technology collaboration, efficient trade mechanisms and deeper participation in global value chains.

The textile and apparel industry is particularly well positioned to benefit. With its combination of large-scale employment, manufacturing depth, design capability, sustainability investments and extensive MSME participation, the sector can become an important bridge between India and the rapidly expanding consumer and manufacturing markets of the Global South.

The New Delhi Declaration’s emphasis on resilient and inclusive global value chains, digitisation, trade facilitation, industrial capacities, connectivity and technology access is especially significant for manufacturing industries seeking to diversify sourcing and export networks.

Dr. Mukesh Kansal, Chairman, CTA Apparels Pvt. Ltd., said: “The true success of BRICS will be measured not only by the strength of its declarations, but by the factories it energises, the markets it opens and the livelihoods it creates. For India’s textile and apparel industry, the expanded BRICS partnership presents an extraordinary opportunity to move from being simply a competitive supplier to becoming a strategic global manufacturing partner—combining design, scale, sustainability, technology and speed. If we can translate this new spirit of South-South cooperation into easier market access, stronger investment partnerships, harmonised standards and resilient supply chains, India can make textiles and apparel one of the most visible success stories of BRICS economic cooperation.”

Dr. Kansal further emphasised that the next phase must be driven by execution—with industry and governments working together to remove non-tariff barriers, strengthen logistics, improve cross-border payment mechanisms, facilitate technology partnerships and create stronger business-to-business platforms across BRICS economies.

For the apparel sector, diversification into emerging markets can complement India's established relationships with Europe and North America while reducing excessive dependence on any single geography. Simultaneously, partnerships in advanced textiles, automation, renewable energy, circularity, recycling, traceability and digital manufacturing can accelerate the industry's transition towards higher-value and more sustainable production.

The Summit therefore represents more than a diplomatic milestone. It offers India an opportunity to position itself as a trusted manufacturing, innovation and sourcing hub for the Global South, while creating new pathways for Indian enterprises—from MSMEs to large manufacturers—to participate in the next generation of international commerce.