Otis Robinson (OR): In July 2026, the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a free-trade-agreement (FTA), entered into effect. While Indian exporters will benefit from eliminated tariffs on textiles and clothing, UK technologists will benefit from reduced and eliminated tariffs on textile and apparel machinery. Why is the UK-India CETA such positive news for the UK’s textile machinery industry?

Jason Kent (JK): The significance of CETA should not be underestimated. India is one of the world's largest textile manufacturing economies, with considerable investment required to modernise its manufacturing base. Historically, tariffs have been one of the barriers facing British machinery manufacturers exporting into India. CETA fundamentally changes that position, with preferential tariff treatment, including zero-duty access for qualifying textile machinery.

For our Member Companies, this creates an important competitive advantage, particularly against European machinery suppliers whose products may not yet benefit from equivalent preferential access. However, I would stress that removing a tariff does not automatically generate an order. You still need the right technology, relationships, commercial proposition and local market understanding. That is precisely why BTMA established the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. We have a window of opportunity, and we need to make the most of it.

OR:      How will the UK’s textile machinery industry be bolstered (both economically and in terms of global reputation) by the UK-India CETA?

JK: From an economic perspective, the most obvious opportunity is increased exports, but I think the benefits could be wider. Additional export business supports investment in research and development, engineering capabilities, employment and skills here in the UK. Our members are predominantly specialist engineering businesses, and international markets are fundamental to their continued growth.

There is also a reputational opportunity here. British textile machinery manufacturers have an excellent international standing, particularly in specialist machinery, automation, process control, testing, sustainability and advanced textile and materials technologies.

CETA gives us an opportunity to strengthen that reputation in one of the world's most important textile markets. We should also recognise that this is a two-way relationship. India brings manufacturing scale, industrial ambition and considerable market potential. The UK brings specialist engineering expertise and innovation.

Bringing those strengths together could create opportunities extending beyond the sale of individual machines, including research, technology development and longer-term industrial partnerships.

OR: The UK’s eliminated tariffs on India’s textiles and clothing industry means the country will no longer face tariff disadvantages against duty-free competitors such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia – but how will the eliminated tariffs on Indian textiles and clothing (and thus more imported goods) benefit the UK?

JK: A good question, and I think we need to consider this from a broader industrial perspective to put it into context.

Clearly, tariff reductions can benefit UK consumers, brands and retailers through improved sourcing opportunities and increased competition. British businesses importing textiles, garments and other products may also benefit from more competitive supply chains.

However, I would not suggest that increased textile imports automatically benefit every part of the UK textile manufacturing industry. There will inevitably be competitive pressures, and we need to recognise those. Where I see a particularly positive opportunity is in the increasingly complementary relationship between the two countries. India has the scale to manufacture textiles and apparel in substantial volumes. The UK has specialist capabilities in engineering, technical textiles, research, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

If Indian textile manufacturers become more competitive internationally, there is an opportunity for UK technology providers to support that development.

Equally, UK manufacturers and brands can benefit from stronger supply chains, better product quality, improved traceability and more sustainable production.

The objective should not simply be to increase trade volumes, but to create more valuable and sustainable industrial relationships in both directions.

OR: You said that “zero-duty access on key UK textile machinery imports provides a strong basis for deeper collaboration” – aside the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC), which we’ll get to shortly – what deeper collaboration might be possible moving forward?

JK: There are a number of areas where I see considerable potential.

One is technical collaboration between machinery manufacturers and Indian textile producers, particularly around energy efficiency, water consumption, automation, digitalisation and waste reduction. Another is the development of advanced and technical textiles. India has ambitious plans to move further into higher-value applications, and the UK has significant expertise in the machinery, materials science, testing and research that can support this.

There are also opportunities for collaboration between universities, research institutions and industry, including joint development projects, technical training and knowledge transfer. We should not overlook skills either. Installing advanced machinery is one thing, but developing the technical and operational capabilities needed to maximise its potential is equally important.

Ultimately, I would like to see relationships evolve from straightforward supplier-customer transactions into longer-term technology partnerships.

That would deliver considerably more value for both countries.

OR:      In response to the UK-India CETA, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) launched the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC), a bilateral trade initiative set up to link British textile machinery makers with India’s textile manufacturing industry. What is the core aim of the UKITMC, what bodies comprise the Coalition, and how will the Coalition achieve this?

JK: BTMA established UKITMC to create a structured and practical route between British textile machinery technology providers and Indian manufacturers. The concept is straightforward. We know there is considerable technological capability in the UK, and we know there is demand for investment and modernisation in India. The challenge is connecting the two in a meaningful way.

UKITMC was formally launched on 8th May 2026 at the India ITME Center in Mumbai, with the event inaugurated by India's Textile Commissioner, Vrunda Desai, and attended by senior representatives from UK and Indian industry and government.

The Coalition brings together a growing network of industry, academic and government partners, including Fibre2Fashion, the Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) and the University of Huddersfield. Our relationship with ITTA was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed in July, providing a framework for ongoing technical cooperation.

Importantly, we have strong support from the UK Government, working closely with its trade teams in India to identify commercial opportunities, facilitate industry engagement and connect British technology providers with Indian manufacturers. This is already translating into practical support, including part-funding our UKITMC presence and associated networking activities at India ITME in December.

The Coalition operates around three pillars: Insight, Engagement and Opportunity.

Insight is about understanding where genuine market demand exists. Engagement involves connecting relevant businesses through webinars, delegations, exhibitions and direct introductions. Opportunity is about converting those connections into meaningful commercial relationships.

For me, the important distinction is that UKITMC is not simply another promotional initiative. It is an industry-led platform, supported by credible partners and the UK Government, designed to generate business.

Ultimately, I want UKITMC to be judged by what it delivers, rather than simply the number of activities it organises.

OR: How will the platform connect Indian manufacturers with UK technology providers?

JK: We are taking a needs-led approach.

Rather than simply presenting Indian manufacturers with a directory of British companies, we want to understand their manufacturing challenges, investment priorities and future requirements.

For example, a textile manufacturer may be looking to reduce water consumption in wet processing, improve production efficiency, automate a particular operation or develop new technical textile products.

Once we understand the requirement, we can identify relevant British machinery and technology providers through BTMA and facilitate introductions.

Our activity includes technical webinars, targeted business meetings, factory visits, exhibitions and direct engagement with Indian manufacturers.

Importantly, we want to bring the technical specialists into those conversations. It is not always enough to have a general sales discussion. Manufacturers need to understand what the technology can achieve in their own production environment.

The UKITMC platform provides an accessible entry point for Indian manufacturers, with free registration at www.ukitmc.com.

Our ambition is to make identifying and engaging with suitable UK technology providers considerably easier.

OR:      What work is the BTMA doing with the Indian government in India and how does this relate to the UKITMC?

JK: We are working closely with the UK Government's trade teams in India, particularly those responsible for advanced manufacturing and bilateral trade development.

Their knowledge of the Indian market and their relationships with industry and government stakeholders are extremely valuable. This cooperation is helping us identify relevant manufacturers, develop engagement opportunities and coordinate activities around India ITME.

The launch of UKITMC, inaugurated by India's Textile Commissioner, was an important recognition of the initiative, although it is important to distinguish that engagement from any formal Indian Government endorsement or funding arrangement.

Our approach is industry-led, supported by government where appropriate. I believe that is the right balance. Government can help create the conditions for trade, but ultimately it is businesses that must build the commercial relationships.

OR: What does the UKITMC trade initiative set out that the UK-India CETA does not?

JK: This is probably the most important distinction.

CETA establishes the trading framework. It reduces tariffs and improves market access, but it cannot identify your next customer, organise a factory visit, demonstrate a new technology or negotiate a commercial agreement.

Those things still require considerable work and UKITMC is intended to bridge that gap.

It provides market intelligence, introductions, technical engagement and a structured programme of activities designed to connect genuine Indian demand with relevant UK manufacturing capability.

This is particularly important for smaller engineering companies that may have excellent technology but lack the resources or established contacts to develop a market as complex as India independently.

In simple terms, CETA opens the door. UKITMC is about helping our members walk through it.

OR:      How will the platform develop long-term?

JK: I do not see UKITMC as a short-term initiative linked to the introduction of CETA or the India ITME exhibition. The intention is to establish a sustainable and enduring programme of engagement between the two countries.

We are already working on a programme of technical webinars with ITTA, involving BTMA member companies and addressing specific manufacturing challenges. We also want to develop more targeted delegations, technical workshops and industry visits, alongside our participation in relevant exhibitions.

Over time, I would like us to become more sophisticated in identifying investment opportunities, matching technology providers with manufacturers and monitoring the commercial outcomes of our engagement. There is also an opportunity to strengthen links with universities and innovation partners.

However, we need to remain realistic. Building lasting commercial relationships takes time, particularly in markets where personal relationships, technical confidence and after-sales support are important.

Our priority is to establish a credible platform that delivers measurable value to British and Indian businesses.

OR:      How is the BTMA translating market intelligence and engagement into tangible commercial opportunities for British machinery manufacturers?

JK: We started with market intelligence through undertaking research into the Indian textile machinery market, helping us understand the scale of the opportunity, investment priorities and where UK capabilities might be most relevant.

That research helped inform the development of UKITMC and since then, we have moved from understanding the market to actively engaging with it.

We launched the Coalition in May, established our MoU with ITTA in July and have been developing technical engagement involving BTMA member companies. We have also been working with the UK Government's India team on targeted introductions and engagement around India ITME.

One example is the proposed visit to Arvind Limited in Ahmedabad, where we have been exploring how UK companies might engage directly with a major Indian textile manufacturer on its investment and technology requirements.

We are also developing technical webinars intended to bring Indian mill owners and senior manufacturing personnel into direct discussions with British machinery providers.

India ITME will be the next major opportunity to bring these activities together.

The important thing is what happens afterwards. We need to capture the opportunities, make the appropriate introductions and follow them through.

An exhibition enquiry only becomes commercially meaningful when it develops into a serious technical discussion, a proposal or ultimately an order.

That is where our emphasis needs to be.

OR: What is the state of Indian digitalisation today? Why is digital transformation essential for the country in today’s trade and manufacturing environment?

JK: India's textile industry is extremely diverse, so I think it would be misleading to describe its level of digitalisation in a single statement.

Some of the larger integrated manufacturers have invested heavily in automation, digital systems and modern production technologies. At the other end of the spectrum, there are many smaller businesses still operating with older machinery and relatively limited digital integration.

This presents both a challenge and a considerable opportunity.

Digitalisation is not simply about introducing new software or collecting more data. It is about improving the efficiency, consistency and competitiveness of manufacturing operations. Greater visibility of production performance can help manufacturers reduce downtime, improve quality, optimise energy and water consumption and make better investment decisions.

Traceability is also becoming increasingly important, particularly for companies supplying international brands and markets where environmental performance and supply-chain transparency are subject to greater scrutiny.

Indian textile manufacturers face growing pressure to deliver quality, speed, cost competitiveness and sustainability simultaneously.

Technology will be fundamental to achieving that.

OR:      Aside the UK-India CETA, why is the UK and its technologists best poised to support this adoption strategy?

JK: The UK has considerable expertise in specialist engineering, automation, process control, instrumentation, testing and industrial innovation.

These strengths are particularly relevant to textile manufacturers looking to improve the performance of existing production facilities, as well as those investing in entirely new operations.

British companies are often strongest where complex manufacturing challenges require specialist technical solutions.

We should also recognise that digitalisation does not necessarily mean replacing an entire production line. There can be considerable value in upgrading equipment, introducing intelligent controls, improving measurement and monitoring or integrating existing machinery with modern production management systems.

That can be particularly relevant in a market such as India, where investment requirements and operating conditions vary significantly between manufacturers.

The UK also benefits from strong connections between industry, research institutions and universities, which help drive the development of new technologies.

Of course, we are not the only country with these capabilities, and we should not pretend otherwise. European and Asian machinery manufacturers are formidable competitors. Our opportunity is to demonstrate where British expertise can deliver a clear technical and commercial advantage.

That must be supported by credible local relationships, responsive technical support and an understanding of Indian manufacturing requirements.

OR: From 4-9 December 2026 at India ITME – an exhibition held every four years that serves as a vital platform for the textile engineering industry – the BTMA will be highlighting the UKITMC with support from the UK government. How is the upcoming India ITME event key to the ongoing work you’re doing for the UKITMC? What do you hope to achieve from highlighting the UKITMC at the event?

JK: India ITME is an important milestone because it gives us an opportunity to move from building the platform to developing commercial engagement on a significant scale. The exhibition brings together textile machinery suppliers, manufacturers, industry leaders and decision-makers from across India and beyond.

For UKITMC, it provides a valuable opportunity to showcase British technological capabilities and explain the benefits of the new trading environment under CETA. BTMA will have a UKITMC booth at the exhibition, supported by the UK Government, and we are working on a programme of engagement around the event.

This includes targeted meetings, networking activities and opportunities for visiting UK companies to engage with Indian manufacturers. We are also exploring factory visits and technical discussions outside the exhibition itself.

Personally, I will be contributing to the Textile Horizons Conference, addressing energy, water and waste in wet processing and printing, and participating in the CEO Conclave on discussions regarding the role of strategic trade agreements in supporting India's textile ambitions.

However, I do not regard exhibition attendance as an objective in itself. What matters is the quality of the conversations and whether they lead to meaningful follow-up.

If we leave India ITME with a credible pipeline of commercial opportunities and stronger working relationships, I will regard that as progress.

OR: How will the BTMA continue to highlight the possibilities of the UKITMC and the UK-India CETA?

JK: The real work starts with the need to maintain momentum beyond the exhibition.

That means continuing our technical webinar programme, developing opportunities for direct engagement with Indian manufacturers and maintaining a regular flow of relevant market intelligence. We will also use our relationships that we have built to reach appropriate audiences.

The message around CETA is an important one, but I think we have to move beyond simply telling companies that tariffs have been reduced. We need to explain what that means in practical terms, which technologies are available, how to identify suitable UK suppliers and how to start a commercial discussion.

We also want UKITMC to become a recognised and trusted point of contact for Indian manufacturers considering investment in British textile machinery.

Building that recognition will take consistent engagement rather than occasional promotional campaigns.

OR: The BTMA has government support for its UKITMC presence – could you share more about this please?

JK: We have received very constructive support from the UK Government's trade team in India, and I am particularly encouraged by the practical nature of that involvement.

The Government is part-funding our UKITMC presence at India ITME, which will provide a focal point for engagement with Indian manufacturers and industry stakeholders. Support also extends to our planned networking reception on 7th of December, as well as coordination of targeted business engagement around the exhibition.

We are working closely with the UK team on developing introductions and opportunities for participating British companies. Nicholas Gribit, First Secretary, Trade, Advanced Manufacturing, is expected to officiate at our networking reception.

This cooperation is important because it combines the sector expertise and industry relationships of BTMA with the local market knowledge and broader trade networks of the UK Government.

It also demonstrates a welcome commitment to ensuring that the opportunities created by CETA translate into practical support for British exporters.

OR: Finally, how do you hope the future looks for UK’s textile machinery now that the UK-India CETA is in place?

JK: I am optimistic, but I am also realistic on expectations.

British textile machinery manufacturers already compete successfully in international markets, often against much larger companies. Their strengths lie in engineering expertise, innovation, technical quality and the ability to develop specialist solutions.

CETA gives us an opportunity to strengthen our position in India, but it is not a substitute for competitiveness, investment or commercial effort. We need to use this period to establish stronger relationships, demonstrate the value of British technology and secure a more sustainable presence in the Indian market.

There is also considerable scope for collaboration around emerging manufacturing technologies, technical textiles, sustainability and skills.

For BTMA, the opportunity is not simply to increase exports in the short term. It is to establish long-term relationships that support the competitiveness of both British machinery manufacturers and Indian textile producers.

We have established UKITMC because we believe that opportunity is worth pursuing in a structured way.

Ultimately, success will not be measured by how often we talk about the trade agreement, but by the business, investment and innovation that emerge from it.