India‑EU pact poised to lift jobs in textiles, footwear and other labour‑intensive exports, says Finance Minister

New Delhi – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the commercial upside of the recently concluded India‑EU trade agreement, noting that the pact is expected to spur employment in sectors that rely heavily on manual labour. In her remarks, the minister singled out industries such as footwear, textiles and other similar manufacturing areas, which could see a surge in export volumes once tariff barriers are reduced.

For the South‑Asian diaspora, the development signals potential growth in home‑grown brands and an increase in demand for skilled workers back in India. A healthier export pipeline may also translate into more stable supply chains for diaspora‑owned businesses that import Indian goods to markets abroad. While the agreement still requires ratification by both sides, officials anticipate that the reduced trade friction will make Indian products more competitive across European markets, thereby creating new avenues for income and job creation within the country.

The finance ministry’s optimism reflects a broader strategy to harness trade as a lever for domestic employment, especially in regions where labour‑intensive manufacturing remains a key source of livelihood.