The Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Neelam Shami Rao, chaired the fourth meeting convened by the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Task Force to co-create a sustainability vision for the Indian textiles and apparel industry. The meeting involved officials from the Government, including industry leaders, brands, associations and global stakeholders.
Other participants in the meeting included Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary; Dr. M. Beena, Textile Commissioner; Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre); the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Commerce; multilateral organisations; and specialists from the sector.
Rao stated that sustainability is already happening in some clusters like Tirupur, Surat and Panipat— innovation and practices must be scaled, like wastewater recycling and renewable energy usage, throughout the ecosystem. There is no opt-out option in terms of sustainability for this sector and it needs to become the primary focus of the industry moving forward.
Kansal commented on the sustainable aspects of society in India and emphasised that those systems can be maintained through global awareness and competitive advantage.
The Ministry released a draft “Roadmap 2047,” which prioritises circularity, innovation, skill-building, standardisation and green finance. The consultations emphasized the necessity for simplified compliance, convergence of global standards and consumer awareness.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to co-create a sustainable, future-ready Indian textile industry. Stakeholders congratulated the ministry for its inclusive and long-term vision.
