Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday highlighted the growing significance of technical textiles within the footwear industry.

Referring to an article by Union Minister Giriraj Singh, he observed that technical textiles are not merely an emerging concept but are already deeply integrated into the sector.

He noted that the priority now lies in recognising, organising, and scaling this integration.

This approach will bring the footwear industry more distinctly within the technical textiles ecosystem.

The minister emphasised that these materials are becoming vital drivers of innovation, enhancing product performance and strengthening export potential.

Singh further stated that India must unlock the latent potential of its footwear sector. He stressed that structured growth, supported by technical textiles, will help position the country prominently in global value chains.

He added that India's manufacturing strength, skilled workforce, and focus on sustainability will accelerate this transition.

The minister highlighted shifting consumer preferences towards footwear offering superior comfort, durability, and performance.

He explained that technical textiles play a decisive role in meeting these evolving expectations. Integrating the sector more formally within this framework can stimulate innovation, generate high-quality employment, and expand exports.

Despite being the world's second-largest producer, India holds only a limited share in global footwear exports.

Singh attributed this gap not to capacity constraints but to the need for advancement in material design and performance.

He observed during visits to manufacturing hubs, including Agra, that many producers already utilise advanced materials without formally identifying them as technical textiles.