Textile industry body has urged the government to push negotiations with China to give duty-free access to Indian cotton textiles. India exported $1,362 million worth of textile and apparel products to China in 2017-18, while the country's imports from China stood at $2,905 million, indicating a trade deficit of $1,543 million.

Indian products carry 3.5 per cent, 10 per cent and 14 per cent duty on yarn, fabric and made-ups, respectively. The country is losing business to nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan and Cambodia who enjoy duty-free access to the Chinese market.

India's cotton yarn exports to China has decreased by 53 per cent in 2017 from 2013, while Vietnam's exports of cotton yarn to China has increased by about 88 per cent during the same period. Therefore, the textile industry body has urged the government to push negotiations with China to give duty-free access to Indian cotton textiles.