New Delhi, Dec. 15 -- The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has called on the government to remove the 11 per cent import duty on all varieties of cotton, arguing that the move is essential to safeguard the global competitiveness of India's textile and apparel sector amid mounting external and domestic pressures.

Rationale Amid Trade Uncertainty

"At a time when the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US tariff issue remains a major concern for India's textile and apparel sector, the removal of the import duty on cotton can act as a huge confidence-booster by ensuring a crucial raw material like cotton is available at internationally competitive prices," CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran said.

The government had earlier extend...