India and Georgia are ramping up cooperation in silk production and textiles through a recent high-level visit. A delegation from India’s Ministry of Textiles wrapped up a five-day trip to Georgia on November 21, 2025, focusing on new partnerships in sericulture, apparel, and carpet trade.
Key Highlights from the Delegation Visit
The visit, led by P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary of the Central Silk Board and Secretary General of the International Sericultural Commission, aimed to build stronger ties in the silk and textile sectors. Officials from India’s Ministry of Textiles, along with representatives from the Carpet Export Promotion Council and Apparel Export Promotion Council, joined the trip.
During the stay from November 17 to 21, the group engaged in talks to explore joint ventures and research projects. This move comes at a time when global textile markets are shifting, with India looking to expand its export reach amid weak demand in some areas.
India showcased its rich silk heritage by presenting a unique silk stole to Georgian hosts, symbolizing the cultural and economic links between the two nations.
Participation in Global Silk Conference
The delegation played a key role in the 11th BACSA International Conference, known as CULTUSERI 2025, held in Georgia. Sivakumar delivered the opening address, highlighting India’s deep roots in traditional silk knowledge and its impact on modern creative industries.
He also presented a paper called “The Chronicles of Wild Silk,” which detailed India’s contributions to global sericulture practices. This session drew attention to how ancient techniques continue to influence today’s silk farming methods.
Another highlight was the presentation by S. Manthira Moorthy, Director (Technical) at the Central Silk Board. He discussed ongoing research collaborations, including work with Bulgaria to develop a high-yield silkworm hybrid suited for Indian climates.
The conference served as a platform for sharing ideas on sustainable silk production, with experts from various countries discussing ways to improve farming techniques and reduce environmental impact.
Focus Areas for Future Collaboration
Discussions centered on several key sectors to drive mutual growth. Sericulture, the process of silk farming, topped the agenda, with both sides exploring ways to share technology and best practices.
Apparel and carpet trade also featured prominently, as India seeks to boost exports to new markets like Georgia. This aligns with India’s broader push to strengthen its position in the global textile industry, which is valued at over 250 billion dollars worldwide in 2025.
To illustrate the potential benefits, here are some areas of focus:
- Joint research on sustainable silk varieties to meet growing demand for eco-friendly fabrics.
- Training programs for farmers to adopt advanced sericulture methods.
- Trade agreements to ease the export of Indian carpets and apparel to European markets via Georgia.
These initiatives could help India address challenges like fluctuating global demand, where only five of its top 20 export markets showed growth in October 2025.
Economic Impact and Broader Implications
This collaboration could open doors for Indian exporters, especially in silk and textiles, which form a major part of India’s economy. The country’s textile sector employs millions and contributes significantly to GDP, with exports reaching about 40 billion dollars in the fiscal year ending 2025.
Georgia, with its growing interest in silk production, offers a strategic partner in the Caucasus region. This partnership might lead to increased trade volumes and help diversify India’s export destinations amid uncertainties in traditional markets like the US and Europe.
Experts note that such international ties are crucial as the global textile industry faces pressures from sustainability demands and supply chain disruptions. Recent events, like the push for circular economy practices in textiles at conferences such as the India Sustainability Standards Dialogue in November 2025, underline the timeliness of this move.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the visit marks a positive step, challenges remain. Global weak demand has hit Indian exports hard, with sectors like apparel seeing slumps. Building resilient supply chains will be key to making this collaboration successful.
On the opportunity side, joint ventures could lead to innovations in silk technology, such as those showcased at events like SILKTECH 2025 in New Delhi earlier this year. This included advances in sustainable silk processing that reduce water usage by up to 30 percent.
To better understand the trade dynamics, consider this table of India’s top silk export destinations in 2025:
| Country | Export Value (in billion USD) | Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 5.2 | 2.1 |
| Germany | 3.8 | 1.5 |
| UK | 2.9 | -0.8 |
| UAE | 2.4 | 3.2 |
| France | 1.7 | 0.9 |
This data shows varied performance, highlighting the need for new partners like Georgia.
Looking Forward to Stronger Ties
As both nations move forward, this collaboration could set a model for other international partnerships in textiles. With India’s expertise in diverse silk varieties and Georgia’s strategic location, the potential for growth is substantial.
Industry leaders are optimistic, pointing to similar successful ties, such as India’s recent textile pacts with countries in Southeast Asia. These have boosted exports by 15 percent in the past year.
What do you think about this growing partnership? Share your thoughts in the comments below and spread the word by sharing this article with others interested in global trade.
