CEPC hails India–US Trade Deal as major boost for Kashmir’s handmade carpet sector

Srinagar, Feb 3: Sheikh Ashiq, Committee of Administration member of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and former president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has welcomed the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), describing it as a transformative development for Kashmir’s handmade carpet and handicraft sector.

Representing an industry closely tied to the region’s cultural and artisanal heritage, CEPC said the agreement addresses long-standing tariff barriers that have constrained Kashmiri exporters in key global markets, particularly the United States.

Kashmir contributes significantly to India’s handmade carpet exports, with nearly 60 per cent of the country’s shipments destined for the US—India’s largest market for hand-knotted carpets. Along with the European Union, the US remains a crucial destination for Kashmiri artisans whose products enjoy strong international demand.

Ashiq expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its sustained diplomatic engagement, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Ministries of Commerce & Industry and Textiles for securing improved market access. “We hope this will lead to further easing of trade barriers in the future,” he said, adding that the agreement is a boon not only for handmade carpets but for the entire handicraft industry in Kashmir.

Captain Mukesh Gombar, Chairman, CEPC, said that while earlier trade agreements with the European Union and the United Kingdom had provided partial relief, the India–US agreement has brought unprecedented optimism to the sector. He noted that the rollback of tariffs to 18 per cent from the earlier 50 per cent has restored competitiveness to Indian handmade carpets in their most important export market, reviving both exporter and buyer confidence.