The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has urged the Indian government to eliminate the 11% import duty on cotton, which is significantly affecting the textile industry due to rising input costs. AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel, along with a delegation, met with key ministers, including Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry Minister) and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture Minister), presenting their case for the duty reduction. They emphasized that competing nations can access cotton at lower prices, putting Indian manufacturers at a disadvantage. The AEPC highlighted that India's textile industry requires approximately 337 lakh bales of cotton this year, while only about 292.15 lakh bales are expected to arrive in the 2025-26 season, creating a supply-demand gap of nearly 45 lakh bales. This shortfall could lead to increased pressure on spinning mills and downstream industries, as they struggle with high input costs and limited quality raw materials. The council believes that reducing the import duty is essential for improving competitiveness, securing business opportunities from Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners, and supporting growth in exports and employment within the textile sector.