With the UK–India Free Trade Agreement now signed—hailed as one of the most significant trade developments post-Brexit—there’s increasing attention on its potential to boost sectors such as textiles, jewellery, and automobiles. The deal opens doors to over £2.9 billion in new export opportunities for Indian textiles alone. However, beyond the economic headlines lies a critical, underreported angle that deserves deeper industry focus. As part of a broader follow-up or analysis, here is a data-backed insight from a key voice in sustainable manufacturing, representing GreenStitch, a climate-tech platform serving the fashion and textile sector. Quote by Mr. Narendra Makwana, CEO, GreenStitch:

“The UK–India FTA could unlock £2.9 billion in new textile and apparel exports from India – a potential 85% increase but it comes with a projected 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂e added annually and a 43–49% jump in transport emissions. This is the real inflection point: trade is getting easier, but climate scrutiny is getting tougher. UK retailers are under mounting pressure from net-zero goals, ESG investors, and new rules around eco-labeling and product footprint disclosures. At present, many Indian textile units use 100–300 litres of water per kg of fabric, run on coal-heavy energy, and consume 5–8× more energy than global best practices. These inefficiencies put long-term value at risk. Without measurable improvements in emissions, water use, and circularity, suppliers may gain market access but miss out on preferred partnerships and pricing. On the flip side, those investing in cleaner production, traceability, and verified impact data stand to win not just contracts but market leadership. The FTA is not just a trade win; it’s a climate and competitiveness test for Indian fashion and textile industries.”